Lobate Lac Scale
The lobate lac scale is a potentially damaging landscape pest in southern Florida.
Native to India and Sri Lanka, lobate lac scale (Paratachardina pseudolobata) attacks a wide range of woody plants. These reddish-brown, x-shaped insects feed on branches and blend in well with bark. The presence of sooty mold could indicate their activity, and in severe infestations, branches may die back, or the entire plant may die.
Wax myrtle is especially susceptible to lobate lac scale, and the numerous other plants affected include fruit trees such as carambola and mango, and many shrubs including cocoplum, hibiscus and wild coffee. The scale is spread by wind, animals, and the movement of infested plant material.
Researchers are still investigating the best methods for management of this pest. The only current recommendation for heavy infestations is branch or plant removal and destruction. Injectable insecticides exist, but the treatment is costly.
Note: This scale was previously identified as P. lobata, but a revision of the genus resulted in its description as a new species (Kondo and Gullan 2007).
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- Molet, T. and L. D. Jackson. 2015. CPHST Pest Datasheet for Paratachardina pseudolobata. USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. [PDF; The Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) of the USDA is the scientific support organization for the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Division of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).]