PEST
 
   NAME
     Pink Wax Scale
     Ceroplastes rubens
 
   ORDER
     Hemiptera
 
   FAMILY
     Coccidae

Description of the Pest
The adults appear on the twigs and mid-ribs of leaves. They are covered in an oval-shaped scale of pinkish-grey wax, up to 3mm long. The young nymphs are pinkish-red. This is a soft scale, producing large amounts of honeydew. The honeydew attracts ants and produces sooty mould.

Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
This scale is common in coastal subtropical regions; it does not favour hot dry climates.

Life Cycle
This insect has a Hemimetabolous life cycle, ie. When the immature nymphs resemble the adults.
Females produce up to 700 eggs under the waxy scale; males are unknown in Australia. Juveniles (“crawlers”) are mobile. Two generations are produced each year.

Period of Activity
Scale is most active during warm, humid weather, more so when where plants are in humid, protected positions.

Damage Caused
Crawlers feed on the leaves before moving onto the twigs to produce their wax scale as they mature. Plants lose vigour as the scale feeds, in heavy infestations, and the build up of sooty mould reduces the plant’s capacity to photosynthesise. Mature scales are difficult to eradicate.

Susceptible Plants
Many native species are susceptible (Boronia spp, Acmena smithii, Dodonaea spp, Eriostemon and Hedera spp, Syzygium spp, citrus, magnolias, and ferns in bush houses).

Cultural Control
Small infestations may be rubbed off by hand or the infested branches can be removed and destroyed. Dried sooty mould may be removed by rubbing, or hosing.

Biological Control
Ladybeetles, lacewings and parasitic wasps are natural predators; birds assist in the control of infestations. 

Chemical Control
Spray white oil on the crawlers as they emerge. If crawlers are not successfully controlled, adults may be sprayed with a soapy mixture. Commercial preparations of methidathion may be applied.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.