Tuliptree scale

Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Orientation to pest

Tuliptree scale, Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin), is native to the eastern United States, where it is widely distributed. It also occurs in urban areas in California, where it is invasive. It mainly feeds on twigs of tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and magnolia (Magnolia). Heavy infestations are common and these can (1) kill seedlings, (2) destroy leaders or branches leading to bushy form, and (3) remove nutrients and lower tree vigor. The scale has one generation per year except in the southern part of its range and it generally overwinters as young nymphs on twigs.

Hosts commonly attacked

This scale feeds on tuliptree (L. tulipifera) and species of magnolia (Magnolia), as well as hosts in eight other plant families.

Distribution

This scale is found from New York south to Florida and west to the Mississippi River (see Burns and Donley [1970] for a distribution map), and has invaded urban areas of California.

Images of tuliptree scale

A. Steven Munson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Gerald J. Lenhard, Louiana State Univ, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Figure 1. Group of mature female tuliptree scales, Toumeyella liriodendri, on twig of host	Figure 2. Mature female of tuliptree scale surrounded by crawlers	Figure 3. Overwintering second instar nymphs of tuliptree scale on twig	Figure 4. Empty cast skins of male "pupae" of tuliptree scale

Important biological control agents related to this pest species

Many species of parasitoids and predators are reported attacking tuliptree scale in the United States, but at the same time, the scale is reported as frequently being abundant and damaging. Its ability to thrive in spite of its many enemies may be because it is very frequently tended by ants.

Web links for information on tuliptree scale

• Forest Pest Leaflet 92 | USDA Forest Service
• Fact Sheet | Pennsylvania State University Extension
• Fact Sheet | University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
• Magnolia grandiflora Nursery Production Bulletin | University of Florida IFAS Extension
• Species Catalog on ScaleNet
  Complete list of all recorded natural enemies, hosts, and distribution records; also an index to all publications on this species

Articles

• Burns, D. P. and D. E. Donley. 1970. Biology of the tuliptree scale, Toumeyella liriodendri (Homoptera: Coccidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 63: 228-235.
• Simpson, J. D. and Lambdin, P. L. 1983. Life history of the tuliptree scale, Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin), on yellow-poplar in Tennessee. Tennessee Farm and Home Science 125: 2-5.