Spray trials for citricola scale

The Citrus IPM research team at Lindcove REC tests the efficacy of pesticides and provides recommendations to pest control advisers on strategies for managing citrus pests in the San Joaquin Valley.  A long, wet spring has resulted in exceptionally high citricola scale populations this summer, and control is expected to be difficult due to the insect’s known resistance to organophosphates.   Heavy infestations of citricola can dramatically limit fruit set.  Three experimental insecticides are currently being tested for effectiveness and possible registration, as well as a dozen or more registered pesticides.  The goals of the citricola trials are to find insecticides that achieve at least two years of control between sprays and that have minimal impact on natural enemies that help to control citricola scale and other pests. Results of these and other trials are published annually in the journal Arthropod Management Tests.  Informative pest-specific information is available online at http://ucanr.org/sites/KACCitrusEntomology/