SCALE INSECTS: Characteristics and Controls

Ailments Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

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They suck the juice of tissues; some produce a toxin; spots where they extract juice become yellow; they tend to congregate at joints and under sheathing leaves but are also found on open areas and roots, the young are called crawlers and move freely; mature ones fix themselves and cover up with a waxy shield that can be hard or soft, white, grey, brown or black; spray with Malathion, or use a brush on the protected ones, then spray. A73-716
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Scale (Insects) Comments
SCALE, BOISDUVAL: On Cattleyas Heavy infestation on neglected collection; spray one fluid ounce of Cygon 2E in three gals, water; a hand lens will show dead scale as yellowish-brown to brown and live scale as yellow. A70-148 0
SCALE, BROWN: Treatment Required Hand picking is not so effective; spray with Cygon 2E at 2 tpg., or with Malathion at 1.5 tpg. plus a few drops of a wetter-sticker. A73-991 0
SCALE: Controls A home-made spray can be made up with a half pint of water, a half pint of cooking oil, one tablespoon of liquid detergent, half a teaspoon of methyl hydrate (or rubbing alcohol), place them in a blender and whip up for two minutes to make an emulsion; to apply it, stir one part of the concoction into seven parts of water; spray liberally after cleaning the foliage; it tends to coat the surface. Ca81(4)-42; Ca84(1)-6; with the addition of nicotine (cigarette butts?) it might be effective against aphids, but would likely pose the risk of introducing TMV. Ca84(2)-6A most common pest found in greenhouses, two of them called Boisduval scale, and, Brown scale, are mostly found on orchids; neither is difficult to control, altho the dead ones remain on the plants and look as bad as the live ones, so they should be brushed off with an old toothbrush; all parts of the plant must be sprayed frequently with any control; use Metasystox R, Malathion 50%, or Summer Oil Emulsion out-doors. F87-180... 0
SCALE: Destroyed by Alcohol Use an alcohol from a spray bottle but remember that contact is necessary for killing them and that missed ones will multiply; a toothbrush and soapy water is an effective treatment for only a few plants. A84-819 0
SCALE (GENERAL): Characteristics and Controls There are two groups, the soft scales and the armored scales; different species require different controls; species common to California described; refer to AH6+; N328+; S192 0
SCALE (GENERAL): Control Besides Cygon 2E, Temik will kill scale except on flowers, but a permit to use is is necessary. A77-995On cymbidiums, is best achieved with Cygon 2E at 2 tpg.; or with Diazinon 50%EC at 1 tpg; Malathion, if reasonably fresh and if a wetting agent is added at 1/2 tpg. is recommended; use the 55% approximately. A80-4On phalaenopsis and cattleyas = use Cygon 2E at 2 tpg., or Malathion plus a wetting agent. A78-998Other than with Malathion which affects the user's nerves use Cygon 2E which is much more effective at 2 tpg. as a spray; but Cygon is from the same chemical group; use rubber gloves and stay away from the sprayed plants for 2 days. A73-338; OWDSpray with Cygon 2E at 2 tpg. A76-895The best way to control it is with Cygon 2E. A77-995; excellent control can be had by spraying with Diazinon plus 1/4 tpg. of a wetting agent or wetter-sticker. A80-110Use Shell No-Pest Strip; the agent in the strip is Vapona which is highly effective against scale; continued use may keep a greenhous... 0
SCALE (GENERAL): Control Experiments Foliar application of seven insecticides was tried on vandas for control of proteus scale, and on cattleyas for control of boisduval scale; dimethoate (Cygon) provided a complete control; phytotoxicity of Cygon on a wide scale was negative. A64-969+ 0
SCALE: Hard to Get Rid of Use Cygon 2E at 2tpg. applied when the temperature is below 70 dF; clean off the dried sheaths from the pseudobulbs first. A82-248 0
SCALE INSECTS: Characteristics In Florida, they are soft or armored scales; seven types described; Mealy bugs described; five different controls given; refer to DK2+ 0
SCALE INSECTS: Control In Hawaii, use Diazinon WP or EC (emulsifiable concentrate) as a spray; use Malathion, or Cygon 2E. P69(l)-ll 0
SCALE: On a Single Plant Control can be achieved by first scraping them off and then swabbing with methanol. A82-248 0
SCALE: On Vandaceous Plants Use Orthene Tree & Ornamental spray which is a soluble powder, at two tablespoons to three gallons of water; or, Malathion at one tpg,, and at several intervals. A85-817 0
SCALE: Types, Damage and Controls Possibly the most common orchid pest, whi ch because its size, numbe rs and habi ts are conspicuous; they attach themselves to the plant and suck the juices; some are believed to exude a toxic and injurios substance; the young sometimes travel far for their size before settling down;some build up an immunity to certain controls. OD83-146 0

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