PEST

NAME
Gumtree Scale
Eriococcus coriaceus

ORDER
Hemiptera

Description of the Pest
The tiny female is pale brown soft scale; it only becomes plainly visible when its egg-sack develops, growing up to 3mm long and becoming darker. Males are a small, flat, white scale and apparent in large clusters. Scales have sucking and mouth parts.


Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
An Australian native pest that occurs during the warmer months of the year. Similar to the Abo.

Life Cycle
This scale is hemimetabolous. Females lay eggs in egg-sacks, from which nymphs emerge.

Period of Activity
The pest is most active from spring through summer.

Damage Caused
Nymphs and adults cause damage by sucking the sap. Stressed and immature plants are particularly susceptible to damage: dieback of affected branch may occur during heavy infestations, and infestations on the main stem may kill young plants. Scales produce honeydew, which causes sooty mould.

Susceptible Plants
Many Eucalyptus species; some species are more susceptible than others.

Cultural Control
Remove and destroy the branches. Small infestations may be rubbed off by hand (wear gloves).

BiologicalControl
Ladybirds are natural predators, but have limited influence on control of numbers.

Chemical Control
Spray the infested branches with white oil; emergent nymphs may be sprayed with contact insecticide.