Pit scales—Asterolecaniidae family
Mature scales are white, brown, gold or green, flattened,
circular immobile insects about the size of the head of a
pin. The most common pit scale problems in California are
the oak pit
scales, which are detailed in the Oak
Pit Scale Pest Note. The pit-making pittosporum scale Planchonia
arabidis occurs
on pittosporum and bamboo scale infests only bamboo.
Damage
The pit-making pittosporum scale leaves ring-shaped
depressions in bark giving twigs a distored, swollen, and
pitted appearance. Leaves may be dwared and twigs may die
back. The bamboo scale may occur in large groups on stems
and leaves, but doesn't harm plants or leave pits.
Solutions
No management is required for bamboo scale.
Management practices for pit-making pittosporum scale have
not been investigated.
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Oak pit scale nymphs
Golden oak scale and pits on twig
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