Pine Needle Scale Crawlers Emerging Soon
go.ncsu.edu/readext?787254
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲It’s not just baby birds that hatch from eggs each spring. In the next several weeks, pine needle scale crawlers will emerge across North Carolina after overwintering as eggs.
Pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) is a scale insect native to North America. They feed on pine needles with piercing-sucking mouthparts, retrieving nutrients and causing yellowing of needles. Usually, they are minor pests in natural forests. However, in managed pine stands, pine needle scale can be problematic because heavy feeding reduces needle length and tree growth. Severe infestations, although not common and typically associated with other tree health stressors, can cause branch dieback or even kill young trees.
Pine needle scale are sessile, meaning once they start feeding, they don’t move. This stationary lifestyle makes them susceptible to many natural enemies which attack the scale and therefore, management is often not warranted. Generally, proper tree care to increase tree vigor helps to reduce scale populations. In problem areas, heavily infested branches should be pruned out and in some cases, pesticides can be applied. Horticultural oils and soaps are recommended as these will not impact the natural enemies that play a key role in reducing scale populations.
Why do we need to know crawlers are emerging soon? Simply put, crawlers are the susceptible life stage for pesticide treatments. As the name suggests, crawlers crawl around, searching for a feeding site. After finding a site and settling down, they secrete a white, waxy covering over their bodies which protects them from many things, including pesticide applications. Crawlers lack this covering, therefore, horticultural oils and soaps should be applied while crawlers are active.
Within the week (by April 10), crawlers are expected to emerge in the southern third of the state, from the Sandhills to the Alligator River areas. One to two weeks later, emergence is expected across the piedmont and lower elevation mountains. To scout for crawlers, one can tap or beat an infested branch over a white piece of paper. Crawlers should be knocked free and begin crawling across the paper if they are present.