Apple comma-shaped shield: how to deal with a pest that has reliable protection
There are a large number of living organisms on the planet. And each of them, be it useful or harmful, has a place to be. But some pests are too common and harm plantings. This is the apple comma-shaped shield.
Content
Apple comma-shaped shield: photo
Description of the pest
Name: Scale comma-shaped apple
Latin: Lepidosaphes ulmClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: Hemiptera - Hemiptera
Family: Scale insects - Diaspididae
 | Habitats: | garden |
 | Dangerous for: | apple, pear, greenhouse plants |
 | Means of destruction: | mechanical cleaning, chemicals |
Comma-shaped scale insects on a tree.
Apple comma-shaped scale insect is a pest of fruit crops. She got her name for her appearance. The body of the insect has the appearance of a comma with brown shields and red eyes. The body of the female is twice as large as that of the male.
A female scale insect can lay up to 150 eggs. Hatching, the larvae stick to the trees and feed on its juices. This leads to the fact that the plant loses its vitality, loses its immunity, stops growing and bearing fruit. If you do not take action and do not destroy the pest, the plant may even die.
Reproduction
Scale eggs are very resistant to low temperatures, able to stay alive even in 30 degrees below zero. The eggs hibernate under the shield of a dead female. The larvae hatch in late April - early May.
The hatching period lasts up to two weeks, after which they spread throughout the tree, attach to it and feed.
In early July, an adult female is formed from the larva, which by the end of the month begins to lay eggs, after which it dies.
Habitat
This type of pest is very common around the globe. Most of them are found in fruit growing areas:
- Ukraine;
- Lower Volga;
- North Caucasus;
- Middle Asia;
- Australia;
- Europe;
- America;
- Moldavia.
What does an insect eat
Apple scale can be found not only on apple trees. In addition to forest and horticultural crops, her menu includes plants from flower greenhouses and potted crops from home window sills.
All types of trees and shrubs are subject to the negative impact and great appetite of the comma-shaped scale insect.
How to deal with the comma-shaped apple scale
In order to avoid pest infestation, it is necessary to choose only healthy seedlings when planting.
| A small amount of | You can use a soda solution or soapy water to clean green plants. The method is quite safe for both humans and plants, however, it does not give a 100% guarantee of the destruction of parasites. |
| Mechanical cleaning | If, however, infection has occurred, it is necessary to cut and burn all damaged branches. It is better to immediately remove the root growth, which will become a place for the development of insects. If the areas are small, then you can clean them up. To do this, paper or oilcloth is laid under a tree and a bush, and the bark is cleared of growths, mosses and growths. Garbage is given to the fire. |
| Chemical method | In cases where preventive measures have proved powerless, you can move on to more radical methods - chemical preparations. It is possible to suppress the reproduction of the comma-shaped apple scale insect with the help of special chemicals, such as Ditox, Aktara, etc. It is very important to read the instructions for the use of drugs, as well as observe safety precautions. |
More information about the fight against scale insects on fruit trees can be read the link.
Conclusion
The apple comma-shaped shield does not bring any benefit to plantings - it is exclusively a pest. Excessive insect activity can even kill an adult tree. Methods of control and prevention in the garden are always required.
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