Scale Insect ID - Ask Extension
A landowner brought in this sprig of a rose to figure out what the insect on it is. rose is a planted garden rose of some kind.
Knowledgebase
Scale Insect ID #872992
Asked June 13, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT
A landowner brought in this sprig of a rose to figure out what the insect on it is. rose is a planted garden rose of some kind.
Van Buren County Michigan
Expert Response
The insect in the photo appears to be a type of scale possibly, Lecanium scale.
Scales tend to thrive on stressed plants. Following a recommended fertility program and watering regime will promote plant health. However, over-fertilization favors scale buildup. If practical, improve plant sites to reduce stress and promote growth. You can prune out small infestations to try and eliminate the issue or prune out sections of a large-scale problem in order to make chemical control more feasible.
There are two options when considering management of scales, doing a systemic treatment or treating the crawlers directly. Whichever you choose, management may take repeated applications over a couple of growing seasons.
Pam V.
MSUE Master Gardener
Scales tend to thrive on stressed plants. Following a recommended fertility program and watering regime will promote plant health. However, over-fertilization favors scale buildup. If practical, improve plant sites to reduce stress and promote growth. You can prune out small infestations to try and eliminate the issue or prune out sections of a large-scale problem in order to make chemical control more feasible.
There are two options when considering management of scales, doing a systemic treatment or treating the crawlers directly. Whichever you choose, management may take repeated applications over a couple of growing seasons.
Lecanium scale numbers building on chestnuts - MSU Extension
Thank you for using Ask Extension.Pam V.
MSUE Master Gardener
