< Horticulture Icerya purchasi
| Cottony Cushion Scale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type: | Insect |
| Binomial: | Icerya purchasi |
| Family: | Margarodidae |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Metamorphosis: | Simple |
Icerya purchasi, the cottony cushion scale) is a scale insect that feeds on several ornamental species, but is most notoriously known as a pest of Citrus crops.
Description
White scales, found on woody growth.
Symptoms and Signs
The presence of large numbers can weaken and even kill the host plant.
Ecology
Originally from Australia, now present in many other regions.
Host plants
Control
- Organic pesticides: Horticultural Oil, Neem Oil
- Predators and parasites: The ladybeetle Rodolia cardinalis has been successfully introduced as a biocontrol in most areas where the scale is present. Chryptochaetum iceryae, a parasitic fly, is also used.
References
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