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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium corni, adult female scale on bark.

Prune

European Fruit Lecanium

Scientific name: Parthenolecanium corni

(Reviewed 6/06, updated 6/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

European fruit lecanium, also known as the brown apricot scale, occurs throughout the Central Valley, but is rarely a problem. The adult female's domed shell is shiny brown, about 0.4 inch in diameter. Eggs are laid in spring and hatch from May to July. The young develop through the remainder of the season and overwinter on twigs and small branches as partly grown crawlers. There is one generation each year.

DAMAGE

The chief injury is the production of honeydew that, in large amounts, can damage leaves and fruit. Sooty mold growing in the honeydew can cause blackened areas on leaves and fruit.

MANAGEMENT

Biological control is frequently effective; if treatment is needed, oil applied during dormancy or delayed dormancy is an effective way to reduce populations of this pest and the least disruptive of natural enemies. Increased populations of this scale may appear when dormant sprays are omitted.

Biological Control
Fruit lecanium is frequently kept under control by parasites including Aphytis spp., Coccophagus spp., Encarsia spp., and Metaphycus spp. and predators including lady beetles and lacewings.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and oil sprays are organically acceptable methods.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions

To determine if a dormant or delayed dormant treatment is warranted, see DORMANT SPUR SAMPLING. Record results on a monitoring form (100KB, PDF). Look for parasitized scale during the summer by lifting up scale covers as well as examining the covers for exit holes. If a large number of scales are parasitized, treatment may not be needed.

Common name Amount to Use** P.H.I.+
(trade name) (conc.) (dilute) (days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to impact on natural enemies and honey bees, impact of the timing on beneficials, and environmental impact.
 
A. DORMANT OIL such as:
  DORMANT FLOWABLE EMULSION 6 gal 1–1.5 gal  
  NARROW RANGE OIL# 4 gal 1.5 gal  
  MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
  COMMENTS: Oil alone can control moderate populations of soft scales. Oil applications at this time may cause some young shoots to burn or die back, especially in years when trees are water-stressed, or have recently been subjected to freezing temperatures or to dry winds. Dormant flowable emulsion is less likely to cause burn. The Moyer variety is highly susceptible to oil injury; delaying the oil spray until late Feb. to March 1 will reduce oil burn. Not all oils are organically acceptable; be sure to check individual products.
 
 
**   For dilute applications, rate is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300-500 gal water/acre, according to label; for concentrate applications, use 80-100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
# Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.

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[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Prune
UC ANR Publication 3464
Insects and Mites
C. Pickel, UC IPM Program, Sutter/Yuba counties
F. J. A. Niederholzer, UC Cooperative Extension, Sutter/Yuba counties
W. H. Olson, UC Cooperative Extension, Butte County
F. G. Zalom, Entomology, UC Davis
R. P. Buchner, UC Cooperative Extension, Tehama County
W. H. Krueger, UC Cooperative Extension Glenn County
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insects and mites section:
W. O. Reil, UC Cooperative Extension Solano/Yolo counties

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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