How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Purple scale is one of the armored scales. The cover of the adult female purple scale resembles a mussel shell in shape. The immature male cover is shorter and much narrower than the female cover. Mature males are winged insects that search out the immobile females. After mating, females lay 40 to 80 eggs under the cover. After egg hatch, crawlers emerge from under the cover and settle on branches, twigs, leaves, or fruit and begin to form their covers. They are covered with a mass of waxy threads until about half grown; at that time a brown cover with a purplish tinge forms. Purple scales prefer the cooler, shady parts of trees; temperatures above 80°F (27°C) greatly reduce a population. Two generations occur between May and October and a third may be partially completed before cold weather starts.

DAMAGE

Purple scale is an occasional pest in certain coastal areas where the mild climate and humid conditions favor its buildup. It attacks all parts of the tree. Its feeding causes yellowish halos to develop on leaves; on young fruit the feeding sites remain green. When populations are high, defoliation and twig dieback can occur; this usually takes place in limited patches on the lower north side of trees.

MANAGEMENT

Parasites usually provide good control of purple scale. Biological control may require supplementary treatment at times, especially on dusty trees next to dirt roads.

Biological Control
The most effective purple scale parasite is Aphytis lepidosaphes, a parasitic wasp that is generally distributed in areas where purple scale occurs. This parasite develops externally on the body of immature scales under the scale cover. Because this parasite is not commercially available, conserve naturally occurring populations of this beneficial in the grove. If treatments are necessary, during August and September either spot treat (i.e., treat only those trees with high populations of purple scale) or treat every fourth to sixth row at a 4- to 6-week intervals if the entire grove is infested. This will assist in preserving natural enemies.

Several predators including the twicestabbed lady beetle, Chilocorus spp., and the Australian lady beetle, Rhyzobius (Lindorus) lophanthae, are important.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and organically acceptable oil sprays are acceptable for use on organically certified citrus.

Treatment Decisions
If a treatment is needed, it may be sufficient to spot treat (i.e., treat only those trees with high populations of purple scale) with an oil spray or wash dusty trees with water. Oil sprays for the California red scale also control the purple scale.

Common name		Amount to Use	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)		(type of coverage)	(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
A.	NARROW RANGE OIL (UR 92%)
	(415, 440)	1.2–1.4% (TC)	4	when dry
	. . . or . . .
	NARROW RANGE OIL (UR 99%)
	(415, 435, 440, 455)	1.2–1.4% (TC)	4	when dry
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (unprotected stages of insects/mites); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short; Natural enemies: short
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
	COMMENTS: Apply higher rate of narrow range oil in July or Aug. only. Narrow range 440 (or higher) spray oil is preferable in the Central Valley during warmer months because of greater persistence, but risk of phytotoxicity increases unless using products with 99% unsulfonated residues (UR). Caution: Serious hazards are associated with oil treatments to green lemons because of phytotoxicity after sweating; check label for preharvest interval.
B.	CHLORPYRIFOS*
	(Lorsban) 4EC	0.5–0.75 pt/100 gal (TC)	5 days	see comments
		...or...
		6–12 pt/acre (LV)
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short (low rates), intermediate (high rates); Natural enemies: short (low rates), intermediate (high rates)
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties; however, it may cause ridging in lemons. Apply thorough coverage spray in 1,200–1,600 gal/acre; do not apply during daylight hours of bloom period or exceed 12 pt/acre/application or 15 pt/acre/year of chlorpyrifos; no more than 2 applications/fruit year, and no closer than 30 days apart. Preharvest interval is 21 days for up to 7 pt/acre and 35 days above 7 pt/acre. Do not apply during Dec., Jan., or Feb. See label for additional restrictions. Rates greater than 8 pt/acre are allowed only in Fresno, Tulare, Kern, Kings, Stanislaus, and Madera Counties.
C.	CARBARYL*
	(Sevin) 80S	1–1.2 lb/100 gal (TC)	12	5
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: long; Natural enemies: long
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Do not apply during bloom or exceed 25 lb/acre/crop. May increase citrus red mite populations.
D.	CARBARYL*
	(Sevin) 80S	0.4 lb/100 gal (TC)	12	5
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: long; Natural enemies: long
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	. . . PLUS . . .
	NARROW RANGE OIL
	(415)	0.5–1.4%	4	when dry
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects; also improves translaminar movement and insecticide persistence.
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (unprotected stages of insects/mites); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short; Natural enemies: short
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Reducing the rate of carbaryl increases survival of natural enemies. Reducing the rate of the oil reduces the risk of phytotoxicity, especially in warmer growing areas of the state. Some California red scale population resistance in San Joaquin Valley; also resistance in some Euseius tularensis populations. Do not apply during bloom or exceed 25 lb/acre/crop. May increase citrus red mite populations. Caution: Serious hazards are associated with oil treatments to green lemons because of phytotoxicity after sweating; check label for preharvest interval.
E.	METHIDATHION*
	(Supracide) 25WP	1 lb/100 gal (TC)	30 days	14
		...or...
		12–16 lb/acre (LV)	40 days	60
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: long; Natural enemies: long
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Do not apply during bloom or exceed 40 lb/acre/season or 2 applications/fruit year, 45 days apart for dilute (TC) sprays. Only 1 application allowed for low-volume sprays, which are available under a Special Local Needs permit. May increase citrus red mite populations.
F.	METHIDATHION*
	(Supracide) 25WP	0.5 lb/100 gal (TC)	30 days	60
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (many insects); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: long; Natural enemies: long
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
	. . . PLUS . . .
	NARROW RANGE OIL
	(415)	0.5–1.4%	4	when dry
	MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects; also improves translaminar movement and insecticide persistence.
	RANGE OF ACTIVITY: Pests: broad (unprotected stages of insects/mites); Natural enemies: most
	PERSISTENCE: Pests: short; Natural enemies: short
	COMMENTS: For use on all varieties. Reducing the rate of methidathion increases survival of natural enemies. Reducing the rate of the oil reduces the risk of phytotoxicity, especially in warmer growing areas of the state. Do not apply during bloom or exceed 40 lb methidathion/acre/season or 2 applications/fruit year, 45 days apart. May increase citrus red mites. Caution: Serious hazards are associated with oil treatments to green lemons because of phytotoxicity after sweating; check label for preharvest interval. For lemons, do not exceed 10 lb/acre or apply more than once/season when tank mixed with oil.
**	LV - Low-volume uses 20–100 gal water/acre.
	TC - Thorough coverage uses 750–2,000 gal water or more/acre, depending on tree size.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1	Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Citrus
UC ANR Publication 3441
Insects, Mites, and Snails
E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. G. Morse, Entomology, UC Riverside
N. V. O‘Connell, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
C. E. Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
D. R. Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
Acknowledgments for contributions to Insect, Mites, and Snails:
J. Barcinas, E. S. I., Corona, CA
R. Dunn, Badger Farming County, Exeter, CA
J. Gorden, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
H. Griffiths, E. S. I., Corona, CA
D. Machlitt, Consulting Entomology Services, Moorpark, CA
C. Musgrove, retired entomologist, Riverside, CA
K. Olsen, S & J Ranch, Pinedale, CA
T. Roberts, E. S. I., Corona, CA
J. Stewart, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
P. Washburn, Washburn & Sons Citrus Pest Control, Riverside, CA
K. Godfrey, USDA Biological Control, Sacramento
D. Headrick, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
B. Faber, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
J. Kabashima, UC Cooperative Extension, South Coast Research and Extension Center

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