What does gloomy scale look like?

Gloomy scale attaches to the bark of the tree’s trunk and branches. It will as appear as dark, almost black, bumps on the bark. When a heavy infestation occurs, the bark will become covered with those dark bumps giving the appearance of a mold occurring on the bark.

Is Gloomy scale a soft scale?

It is an armored scale which secretes a hard gray covering approximately 1/16” in diameter that blends into the bark and often goes unnoticed until infestations become quite heavy (Figure 2). Gloomy scale spends the winter beneath the protective covering on the bark.

What causes gloomy scale?

Trees planted near large amounts of impervious surfaces are more prone to gloomy scale infestation and subsequent damage. Impervious surfaces reduce water availability and increase soil and air temperatures. Gloomy scale becomes more abundant as tree canopy temperature and drought stress increase.

What do gloomy scale insects do to trees?

The likely culprit is gloomy scale, an insect with a gray shell that blends in well with bark. The small insects feed on plant cells, resulting in stunted growth, branch dieback and overall decline of the host plant. They’re particularly drawn to maples, elms, tulip poplars and sweetgums.

Do maples get scale?

Maple cotton scale is found on several other common hardwood trees such as ash, elm and boxelder. If scale populations are heavy enough the tree may show twig and limb dieback as the insect spends the winter on the twigs once the leaves drop off. In extreme cases, it is possible to lose the tree.

What is Dinotefuran used for?

Dinotefuran is a broad-spectrum insecticide, which is proposed for food uses in/on leafy vegetables (except Brassica) (group 4), and for use in professional turf management, professional ornamental production, and in the residential indoor, pet, lawn and garden markets.

What kills scale on trees?

When the scale feed on the sap, they ingest the toxic insecticide and are killed. Acephate, imidacloprid and dinotefuran are three commonly used systemic insecticides that are effective against scale. Treatment involves pouring the mixed insecticide at the base of the plant.

How does scale get on trees?

It is caused by sooty mold that is growing on the sugary honeydew excreted by the scale insects as they feed. Ants, bees and wasps are attracted to the honeydew; their presence is another sign for you to look up into the tree for the scale insects. The scale insects appear as oval bumps along twigs and branches.

What does cottony maple scale look like?

Mature cottony maple scales are small, flat, oval, brown insects without obvious legs, antennae or wings. They are firmly attached to the twigs and branches of various trees and may be ¼ to ⅜ inch in diameter.

How do you get rid of scales on maple trees?

Treat the Scale Infestation Apply an insecticidal soap to the twigs and foliage of your red maple trees. Coat the foliage with the insecticidal soap after the scale crawlers have hatched, and then apply the insecticidal soap again about 10 days later.