Black , pitchy mold and mold appear on magnolia tree when the tree diagram suffers a heavy infestation of magnolia graduated table insects ( Neolecanium cornuparvum ) . The insect ’s voracious alimentation and the accumulation of the black moldy mildew from the scale ' secretions often kill the tree over time if give untreated .

Life History

The magnolia scale threatens only the magnolia tree ’s overall wellness and causes unsightly black mildew . Each August , the magnolia exfoliation matures and the female person quickly pass birthing , according to Cornell University . A vernal scale , know as a crawler , leaves its mother to prefer a place to prey and build its protective covering .

Scale Appearance

Adult magnolia scales often measure 1/2 inch in diam , according to the Ohio State University Extension . The plate look smooth and tan in colouration . As the insect matures , it develop a waxy pith around its consistency . The insect ’s life and breeding practices guide property under this covering .

Types of Scale Damage

The magnolia scale incrust the branch of the magnolia tree . They prefer arm 1 to 2 class sure-enough , but a sound infestation will chop-chop spread out to all limb , according to Penn State University . The magnolia scale feeds on the tree by attach its strong mouth and soak up the tree ’s sap . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s flower and leafage production will be reduced and the tree ’s growth will come along distorted .

Effects

The scale insects damage a tree ’s health and vigor . scale ceaselessly eat the saphead of the tree and secrete a clear substance known as honeydew melon . The honeydew melon is the digested tree sap . It drips in abundance from the insect onto the tree diagram ’s foliage and branches . Over fourth dimension , the honeydew melon begins to grow black , musty mildew . The black fungus attract insects to the tree , such as rainfly , wasps , bees and ants .

Control Methods

restraint of the black mildew begin by eliminating the scales that cause the fungus to get . Horticultural oils applied in August combat the infestation . To kill overwintering scale houri , apply dormant oil in October , November and March . Lady bugs are a biologic command method acting for light scale infestation . Lady bug are available at nursery , garden supply stores or online . Release ladybird beetle on newly buy and constitute magnolia tree to contain light scale infestations .

Prevention

insect powder are effectual only if applied in the late drop or early spring . Once the scale ’s protective coating is in office , it ’s impenetrable by insecticide . Applied early in the season , the insecticides vote out the immature crawlers and prevent adult insects from breeding . Thiamethoxam , imidacloprid and cyfluthrin employment on the red worm . Apply according to the direction on the label .

Solution

Once the scales have been kill , remove the black , moldy mildew using a strong flow of water system . A teaspoonful of detergent per gallon of water applied to the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and foliage remove or shrink the mold , harmonize to the Ohio State University Extension .

References

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