Forest Pest Insects in North America: a Photographic Guide

Magnolia white scale

Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Orientation to pest

Magnolia white scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley), (known formerly as the false oleander scale) is an invasive Asian scale found in the southern United States. It is one of the most polyphagous insects known, reported from 75 different plant families.

Hosts commonly attacked

Common host plants include magnolia (Magnolia), bird of paradise (Strelitzia), oleander (Nerium oleander L.), azalea (Azalea), plumeria (Plumeria), mango (Mangifera indica L.), kukui (Aleurites moluccana [L.] Willd.), cycads and palms.

Distribution

This scale is likely native to southern Asia, but is invasive in many parts of the world, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. In North America, it is invasive in the southern United States (Florida to Maryland, west to Texas and Kansas).

Images of magnolia white scale

Adults of magnolia white scale on areca palm United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs Archive, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Close up of magnolia white scale adults Gillian W. Watson, California Department of Food & Agriculture 768x512
Parasitoid emergence hole in cover of white magnolia scale Charles Olsen, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Figure 1. Adults of magnolia white scale, Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli, on areca palm (Areca sp.) (left); close up of magnolia white scale adults (right) Figure 2. Parasitoid emergence hole in cover of white magnolia scale

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

Some specialized parasitoids of this scale are known from its native south Asian range, but none have been used for biological control of this scale in North America.

Web links for information on magnolia white scale

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