The crape myrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Fig. 1) (CMBS), is an emerging threat to crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) in Georgia. As the name indicates, this scale pest attacks the bark of crape myrtle, the only known scale insect that infests crapemyrtle bark. A native of Asia, CMBS was first confirmed in Dallas, Texas, in 2004. Since then, the pest has gradually expanded its range to the southeastern states. In Georgia, it was first confirmed in Coweta County in 2014. In 2019, CMBS were found infesting crape myrtles in an ornamental nursery in south Georgia. They can potentially spread in zones 6 to 9.

Fig. 1. Crape myrtle bark scale infestation on crape myrtle. Photo: Jim Robbins, Univ. of Ark. CES, Bugwood.org

Biology

The crape myrtle bark scale has three life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. Females lay eggs in white or gray felt-like eggsac or ovisac. A female can lay up to 100-300 eggs. Within a week, the eggs hatch, and the first instars (earliest nymphal stage), typically referred to as crawlers, emerge from the eggsacs. Crawlers have legs and antennae and are the only mobile stage of this scale insect. Crawlers prefer cracks and crevices on the bark, and the infestation begins when crawlers settle on the bark. Once they settle, they insert their elongated tube-like mouthpart into the stem, access the phloem vessels, and begin to suck up the plant nutrients. The settled crawlers lose all the appendages as soon as they molt into the second nymphal stage. The nymphs are typically pinkish in color (Fig. 2). During the season, the scale population grows and may cover the entire crape myrtle bark. They complete a life cycle within 2-3 months; there could be 2-3 generations per year. The nymphs, primarily second instars, are the overwintering stage of this scale pest.

Fig. 2. Crape myrtle bark scale nymphs. Photo: Jim Robbins, Univ. of Ark. CES, Bugwood.org

Damage

From crawlers to gravid females, all life stages can actively feed on crape myrtle and cause serious damage. The infested trees can appear severely stunted, with dieback symptoms on the branches. With a severe infestation, the entire tree can die. When nymphs and females insert their strawlike, piercing and sucking mouthparts into the phloem, they suck up more sugars than they need, and the excess sugars are excreted as a liquid referred to as honeydew. Because this scale insect produces abundant honeydew, sooty mold fungus readily develops on the honeydew, and thus, the infested bark appears black in color (Fig. 3). However, sometimes sooty mold fungus develops on the leaves, which may not be caused by crape myrtle bark scale but instead caused by crape myrtle aphid. Aphids are found only on the leaves during the growing season while the CMBS are found only on the bark.

Host range

Crape myrtle is the preferred host for crape myrtle bark scale. Other potential hosts are various species of native plants (beautyberry, loosestrife), ornamentals and fruit trees (boxwood, pomegranate). Other species of the family Lythraceaae (e.g. axlewood, sinicuichi) also can serve as hosts however, these are not commonly grown in Georgia.

Sooty mold on the bark of crape myrtle. Photo credit: Jim Robbins, Univ. of Arkansas CES, Bugwood.org.

Monitoring and management

Regular inspection of the tree bark will be necessary to detect the problem early. Double-sided tape can be wrapped around the branches to determine crawler activity (gravid females and older nymphs will not be trapped on the tape). In the Gulf coast states, the first peak of crawler activity is typically noticed in mid-May and the second peak in mid-October. The exact seasonal development of the scale can vary by local temperature.

As cultural management, pruning the side branches with infestations may reduce the population size. Several predators, mostly ladybugs (Chilocorus stigma, Hyperaspis bigminata, Harmonia axyridis, and Scymnus sp) naturally occur in the landscape and nursery, and they attack the scales and reduce the population to a certain level. Because the populations of this scale pest can build up quite rapidly in the summer months, the scales can outnumber the predators. During the early stages of infestation, physically removing the scales using a brush may temporarily help but is less likely to provide long-lasting control. Ants can be observed on the infested crape myrtle bark, but it is not clear if they function as a predator or instead tend the scales for honeydew.

For longer-term control, the use of insecticides is necessary. Systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin) applied as a soil drench have proven effective. However, these systemic insecticides, especially imidacloprid, can be harmful to foraging pollinators. Insect growth regulators (e.g., pyriproxyfen) have provided effective control if applied when the crawlers are active. The crawlers are devoid of the waxy coating that protects older nymphs and adults. Horticultural oils have provided inconsistent control and are generally ineffective if not applied during peak crawler emergence window in the spring (April or May). Carefully read the insecticide label, including the precautionary statements, before applying any insecticides. The insecticide label is the law. Contact your local county Extension Service office for the latest control recommendations at 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

References

Gu, M. 2018. Alternative hosts of crapemyrtle bark scale. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. HT-103.

Vafaie, E., M. Merchant, and M. Gu. 2018. Crapemyrtle bark scale. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/insects/crapemyrtle-bark-scale/

Vafaie, E., and C. M. Knight. 2017. Bark and systemic insecticidal control of Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstromiae (crapemyrtle bark scale) on landscape crapemyrtles, 2016. Arthropod Management Tests: 42: tsx130.

Wang, Z., Y. Chen, M. Gu, E. Vafaie, M. Merchant, and R. Diaz. 2016. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a new threat for crapemyrtles, a popular landscape plant in the U.S. Insects, 7: 78. doi: 10.3390/insects7040078

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