Page 16 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Greedy Scale on rose

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

HARD SCALES:

CALIFORNIA RED SCALE
The California Red Scale is the most serious problem for citrus fruit around the world. It

was established in the state in 1877, and attaches to branches, leaves, and the fruit itself. It is a
hard, armored scale, often appearing as a spot on the fruit.

OLEANDER SCALE
Despite its name, it is the most common scale in California and attaches not only to

oleanders, but also to citrus and ivy. It is also a hard scale, light brown to gray in color.

LATANIA SCALE
This hard scale attacks woody hosts. It is found on avocados, yucca, willow, fuchsia,

acacia among a wide variety of host plants. This scale is white, light tan or purplish in color,
and somewhat circular in shape.

GREEDY SCALE
This scale is almost identical to the Latania scale. It attacks leaves, bark, and fruit. Any

infected fruit are quickly rendered useless. It is light purple in color.

BLACK SCALE
Black scale is a major pest for citrus, especially in the Central Valley. It especially

attacks grapefruit, and excretions lead to black sooty mold. Identified by H pattern on
mesothorax.

SAN JOSE SCALE
This scale attacks apples, peaches, plums, and pears. It often is not noticed until a large

population has developed. San Jose scale not only sucks juices out of the plant; it injects toxins
which kill small portions of the infected areas. The insect is very tiny and colored yellow.

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