Background
Information
Cycad Asian Scale (Aulucaspis Yasumatsui) was first observed
in Bangkok, Thailand in 1972. It has spread from Asia to Florida
by legal imports of the ornamental plant. Its prolific migration
throughout Florida began in Miami, Florida in 1992 and has
now spread as far north as Central Florida Typically, the
scale insects rest idly on the leaves of the plant and suck
plant juices from all parts of the cycad plant, including
the roots, thereby devastating the plant. This continuous
feeding produces stippled, yellow foliage and stunted plants.
Moreover, scale insects reproduce so rapidly that an infected
15-foot queen sago with a spread of over 20 feet may be totally
covered in a matter of a few months. Such heavily infested
plants die. Scale insects vary in size and diameter, but many
varieties, including the Cycad Asian Scale, have a hard, protective
shell hidden under a waxy shell-like covering. Due to the
protective shell of the scale insect and the rapidity to which
they reproduce, known treatments of controlling the growth
of scale insects, and in particular the Cycad Asian Scale,
have found limited success. (Ref: Broome, Tom. http://cycadjungle.8m.com/
cycadjungle/The%20Asian%20Cycad%20Scale.html).
Control
Control of this very resilient organism is possible through
repeated applications of our solution several times a week
for three weeks. Further applications should be monthly for
two months and then quarterly thereafter. Be sure to apply
the “Pesticide Spray Additive” to the top and underside of
the leaves as well as the trunk and around the root system
of the infested plant. Remember, the key to exterminating
these insects is thoroughness and persistence.
Purpose
of Product
This product is designed
to be added to pesticides for scale control on evergreens,
conifers, sago palms, and/or other woody ornamentals. Through
locally performed studies, this product has been highly effective
in penetrating the defenses of the Aulacaspis Yasumatsui organism,
otherwise known as Cycad Asian Scale (CAS).
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