Symptoms of damage
- San Jose scales cause injury by feeding on twigs, branches, and fruit; they may also inject salivary toxins while feeding.
- Heavy populations on the bark can cause gumming and kill twigs, branches, and entire trees if left uncontrolled.
- A characteristic, red halolike discoloration often forms around the insect on small twigs or infested fruit.
- Fruit with haloes will be culled because of its unsightly appearance.
Identification of pest
- Female scale is yellowish orange, round, slightly convex and raised a little at the centre with a black pustule
- Males are small and more linear shape
Management
- Select nursery stock free from scale infestation
- Spray application of systemic insecticides like phosalone 0.05% and methyl demeton 0.025%
- Field release of coccinellid predators like Chilocorus nigritus and parasitoid, Encarsia perniosi
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Pink colour discolouration on stem |
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Scales on fruits |
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