PEST

NAME
Chinese Wax Scale
Ceroplastes sinensis

ORDER
Hemiptera

FAMILY
Coccidae

Description of the Pest
This domed scale is about 7 mm long has four white stripes and three dark depressions on either side of the waxy shell. The wax is hard, white to brownish. In spring it may be half pinkish and white in colour.
Both the adults and the nymphs including the crawler stage have piercing and sucking mouth parts.



Life Cycle The insect has a hemimetabolous life cycle consisting of nymphs and adults.
The first nymphal stage which has mobility is called, a crawler.
The crawlers hatch and wander around the leaf surface until finding a suitable place to settle.
There is one generation per year. The females die after giving birth to up to 5,000 eggs. These remain with the dead female until they emerge as crawlers.

Distribution of the Pest
World wide including most of Australia

Period of Activity
The nymphs are active for most of the year and are found in coastal sub tropical to temperate regions.

Susceptible Plants
There is a wide range of susceptible plants including plants in the Myrtaceae, Melaleuca species, Callistemon speciesRutaceaefamilies including Citrus, Citrus deliciosa(mediterranean mandarin), Citrus limon(lemon), Citrus reticulata(mandarin), Citrus sinensis(navel orange), Citrus unshiu(satsuma), Mangifera indica(mango).It also feeds on Pittosporumspecies, Hibiscus, Avocado, Prunus spp. It also attacks indoor or glasshouse plants. It is found on a very wide range of plants over 60 species. In March

Damage Caused
They are commonly seen on the stems and on both sides of the leaves where the young scale form colonies mainly along the mid ribs of leaves. They are commonly accompanied by ants that attend and protect them while harvesting the large quantities of honey dew that the scales are producing.
Leaves become yellow and are shed prematurely and there may be stem die-back. Small trees and saplings that are heavily infested may be seriously damaged. Large amounts of honeydew are produced, this attracts sooty mould.
Sooty mould can cover fruit or leaves causing a secondary problem such as reducing the ability for photosynthesis, it the appearance of the plant is spoilt.

Control

Cultural Control
Not feasible if infestation severe in most cases.

BiologicalControl
A parasitic wasp Scutellista cyoneacan help in reducing the populations

Chemical Control
Oil sprays are 'soft' on beneficial insects and, if applied at the right time and with good coverage, may control the scale without causing any damage to the tree, if the directions on the pesticide label are followed
The oils can suffocate the crawlers if timed correctly.

Note
It is your responsibility by law to read & follow the directions on the label of any pesticide

Monitoring
Double sided sticky tape can be placed around some of the young stems above where their mothers are. In late February when the crawlers emerge from their dead mother some crawlers will adhere to the sticky tape. When numbers are high spray the new growth with soapy water, or an oil based product. This will suffocate the crawlers by blocking their spiracles.

Amendments by B. Sonsie Dip Hort Sc Burnley