The Drosophila scale insect is a sap-sucking pest that primarily affects fruit trees, with both nymphs and adult females causing damage. It mainly targets pear, apple, peach, date, and persimmon trees. In recent years, this pest has been reported in several counties across northern Jiangsu, posing a growing threat to local orchards.
**First, Life Cycle and Habits**
1. **Generations and Life History**
The Drosophila scale insect completes only one generation per year. It overwinters in the form of eggs, which are found in soil cracks, under tree canopies, and among decaying grass. The hatching of nymphs typically begins in mid-February, and they start feeding on the trees immediately. Male adults emerge later, hiding in the soil or cracks beneath the trees. Female adults continue to feed on the trees from May to June. After mating, males die, while females burrow into the soil or cracks near the tree roots to lay their eggs in the decaying vegetation. Over time, the eggs dry out and eventually die.
2. **Feeding and Behavior**
Nymphs tend to congregate in hidden areas, especially where sap is abundant, such as on young shoots and buds. They are generally less active during the first three days of their life but become more active afterward. These pests prefer to hide in soil cracks, under the tree canopy, or in damp, decaying grass for feeding and reproduction.
**Second, Control Methods**
1. **Physical Control**
Orchard sanitation is crucial. After the fall season, it's important to clear leaves, dead grass, and other debris around the trees and burn them to destroy the eggs. During the thawing period of the soil in winter, digging up the soil to crush and freeze the eggs can also be effective.
2. **Chemical Control**
In late January, specialized personnel should monitor the orchard to assess the population of nymphs. When the nymphs first emerge and have not yet begun feeding on the trees, spraying with 1000–1500 times diluted insecticides such as chlorpyrifos or using 3–5°Bé lime sulfur concentrate can be highly effective. One week after application, only scattered infestations are usually observed, showing significant results. Since the development of nymphs varies, it is recommended to spray 2–3 times within a week for maximum effectiveness.
3. **Comprehensive Prevention and Control**
Before the nymphs emerge, manually remove the bark from the base of the tree trunk (about 50 cm above the ground) and scrape off the outer layer of the trunk (approximately 20 cm in height). Wrap a wide adhesive tape around the scraped area, securing it at the top and bottom. Apply an adhesive mixture—typically made by combining 2 parts butter, 0.5 parts insecticide, and 1 part waste engine oil, or 1:1 diesel oil and rosin powder—to prevent nymphs from climbing up the trunk. Afterward, spray the area under the tree canopy to ensure full coverage. This integrated approach significantly reduces the risk of infestation.
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Jiangxi Chengzhi Bioengineering Co., Ltd , https://www.chengzhi-bio.com