Scale insects on my coffee plant
Coffee None Given
I have coffee plant in my garden, usually I see small insect which is not moving to any where, and they are brown in color. It produces sweet sugar in which all the other insects feed them. Finally the plant may die, so I would like to ask you if there is any control measure available?
Posted
by: Adan caqli
(1 point)
Posted: September 26, 2016
Answers
Scales insect may feed on host plants (draining nutrients), transit diseases and become especially problematic when they excrete large quantities of wax. High infestations may also be associated with "Black sooty mold which is powdery yet sticky, this is the most obvious symptom of major scale infestation"(CTAHR).
If you want to treat them the organic route use the soapy water recipe suggested by Ravi above. While treating scales be sure to avoid killing natural enemies and concentrate on the underside of leaves and stems.
If you want to take a more conventional route, growth regulators may be applied. The crawler stage is a very susceptible stage and therefore, chemical applications are targeted during this late spring period. Usually two applications with registered growth regulators spaced 10 days apart are allowed. We do not recommend application of chemical pesticides during the latter part of the season as natural enemies are most active during this period (Oregon State).
There is one insecticide with high activity on scale, a Valent product called Esteem. This insecticide is registered for use in blueberry at 5 oz/acre for Lecanium scale control, and the details are described in a supplemental label (available at http://www.cdms.net). Esteem is an insect growth regulator that acts by disrupting the scale’s normal molting. Application of Esteem should be planned soon, to disrupt their development before they reach the mature adult stage. Esteem is also active on eggs of fruitworms, so there may be an opportunity to combine scale and early fruitworm control. Esteem’s effects may take some time to see, but with good coverage and timely application, it should prevent the scales reaching the stage where crawlers will be produced (Michigan State).
If you want to treat them the organic route use the soapy water recipe suggested by Ravi above. While treating scales be sure to avoid killing natural enemies and concentrate on the underside of leaves and stems.
If you want to take a more conventional route, growth regulators may be applied. The crawler stage is a very susceptible stage and therefore, chemical applications are targeted during this late spring period. Usually two applications with registered growth regulators spaced 10 days apart are allowed. We do not recommend application of chemical pesticides during the latter part of the season as natural enemies are most active during this period (Oregon State).
There is one insecticide with high activity on scale, a Valent product called Esteem. This insecticide is registered for use in blueberry at 5 oz/acre for Lecanium scale control, and the details are described in a supplemental label (available at http://www.cdms.net). Esteem is an insect growth regulator that acts by disrupting the scale’s normal molting. Application of Esteem should be planned soon, to disrupt their development before they reach the mature adult stage. Esteem is also active on eggs of fruitworms, so there may be an opportunity to combine scale and early fruitworm control. Esteem’s effects may take some time to see, but with good coverage and timely application, it should prevent the scales reaching the stage where crawlers will be produced (Michigan State).
Posted
by: Megan Wilkerson
(1 point)
Posted: September 27, 2016
Green coffee scale Coccus viridis is an common insect pest on coffee. The insect can be easily identified by presence of black irregular U shaped internal marking on the dorsal surface of female scale insect. Generally they are shiny pale green in color. Where as the nymphs are oval, flat and yellowish green in color.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/o...
Both adults and nymphs suck the sap from leaves, tender shoots and berries. Usually they found on lower leaf surface along the midrib and lateral leaf veins.
Like as you mentioned this insects secrete sugary substance and are always associated with ants. This sugary substance helps in development of black sooty mold on plant surfaces.
Encouraging natural enemies like lady bird beetles, wasps etc. in your garden helps in reducing the scale population. Also application of biocontrol agents like Verticillium lecanii decrease the level of infestation. Spraying mineral oil (1 ml in one liter of water) or traditional tobacco concoction control the insects. Since ants helps in spreading of scale insects spray soapy water (1 liter of water +2tbs of liquid soap) to control ants.
According to FAO, tobacco concoction can be prepared by "soaking 1kg strong tobacco per 2 L water for 2 nights. Then remove tobacco. Add 500 g of washing powder and make up to 20 L. Spray weekly until scales disappear"
http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/ae939e/...
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/o...
Both adults and nymphs suck the sap from leaves, tender shoots and berries. Usually they found on lower leaf surface along the midrib and lateral leaf veins.
Like as you mentioned this insects secrete sugary substance and are always associated with ants. This sugary substance helps in development of black sooty mold on plant surfaces.
Encouraging natural enemies like lady bird beetles, wasps etc. in your garden helps in reducing the scale population. Also application of biocontrol agents like Verticillium lecanii decrease the level of infestation. Spraying mineral oil (1 ml in one liter of water) or traditional tobacco concoction control the insects. Since ants helps in spreading of scale insects spray soapy water (1 liter of water +2tbs of liquid soap) to control ants.
According to FAO, tobacco concoction can be prepared by "soaking 1kg strong tobacco per 2 L water for 2 nights. Then remove tobacco. Add 500 g of washing powder and make up to 20 L. Spray weekly until scales disappear"
http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/ae939e/...
Scale insect on lower leaf surface
Scale infestation on berries. And association of ants with scale insects.
Scale insects on young tender shoots
Posted
by: Dr. Ravishankar Narayana
(15 points)
Posted: September 26, 2016
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Good you have already identified the problem. Please do upload some images so that it will be helpful for others as a knowledge base. over 7 years ago.