European fruit scale

Insect

European fruit scale

Quadraspidiotus ostreaeformis (Curtis)

Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae

Distribution: Mainly southeastern Canada.


The female is immobile and covered with a circular waxy shell that becomes dark gray over time and is elevated at the center (A). The adult male is brownish red with an elongated abdomen, long antennae and wings. The minuscule nymph (crawler) is bright yellow and has long antennae.

  • Crops Affected: apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums

    Damage

    Attacks all deciduous tree fruits. An accumulation of the scale covers (B) of this pest, resembling minuscule round spots on the bark, can seriously weaken trees. On leaves, the fruit scales form spots encircled by a red halo (C).

    Management

    Spray a delayed dormant oil when buds are showing green tissue but before pink bud. Insecticide applications may be made to control newly hatched crawlers 5–6 weeks after petal fall.

    Similar Species

    San Jose scale (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus), although darker in color, is difficult to distinguish from European fruit scale with the naked eye.

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