Sago Palm Insects

Identification

• The aulacaspis scale protects itself with a waxy covering made up of previously shed skin. The female takes on a white color, bordering on translucence, with a flat, circular or pear-shaped body. When the waxy covering is removed, the female is seen to be orange, wingless and minus legs. She eventually lays orange-colored eggs. The male is light yellow or white in color and possesses three ridges across the expanse of its body.

Considerations

• The scale is capable of living in the root system of the sago palm for an extended period of time and is especially dangerous because it moves to, and infests, nearly every section of the tree, including the leaves or fronds. If and when infestation is controlled in foliage or other areas, the aulacaspis scale simply re-infests the tree from its home within the roots. Additionally, it has no known natural predators; this scale was identified in the U.S. in 1996.

Features

• The cycad aulacaspis scale sucks away the fluids of the tree, causing tiny, yellow spots on the upper surface of fronds, although infestation typically begins on the underside. The leaves eventually dry, become brown and develop holes. A sort of waxy, white crust will form on the fronds, made up of huge numbers of dead and living scales. This tropical and subtropical insect reproduces on a regular basis throughout the year.

Life Cycle

• Dependent on the temperature -- preferably slightly less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit -- eggs of this scale hatch within eight to 12 days, and approximately one month is necessary for an adult to develop. Once the larvae -- also called crawlers -- emerge, they move on to new feeding sites and can also be carried a mile or more by the wind. Once they begin feeding, they stay at the same site for the rest of their lives.