SCALE
Scales are small sucking insects closely related to aphids, mealy bugs and whitefly. They tend to have small, round shells and are often found along the veins of leaves and the stems of plants. Because they are small and usually not moving, they often go unnoticed. Control of scales is important; as the damage they can cause is out of all proportion to their size e.g. Californian red scale (pictured) can seriously damage or kill small citrus trees. One group of scales, the ‘soft scales’, secrete honeydew. This sticky substance covers the leaves below the scale and is fed on by ants and a fungus called black sooty mould. This black covering reduces a plant’s ability to photosynthesis so it is important to remove it.
Suggested Organic Strategies:
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Spraying to control the scale with Eco Oil also loosens the black sooty mould making it easier to hose off.
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Important biological controls are tiny wasp parasitoids that lay their eggs in the scale. As the adult wasps feed on nectar, planting a Good Bug Mix will help feed the adults.
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Use a horticultural glue to keep ants out of your trees. This will make it a lot easier for the wasps to parasitise the scale.
More information on organic scale control…….
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