Arborist Advice Elongate Hemlock Scale is a species of scale insects that is armored with a hard, waxy covering. Scales rarely kill a plant by themselves but may predispose plants to attack from wood-boring insects or open up wounds that provide entry sites for plant pathogens. Since that time, EHS has spread to 15 states in the eastern US. As with most other armored scales, elongate hemlock sc… ■ Systemic materials are absorbed by the tree and transported upward into the plant where they are ingested by the target pest. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The first choice to make is whether to use a systemic or non-systemic type of treatment, and there are quite a few products to choose from in each category. 1978, Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Plants, 5th Ed. Cultural practices that reduce moisture stress and promote general tree health may prolong survival. Hemlocks contribute to watershed quality and provide a unique micro-environment with a cool habitat for many species of birds, insects, and mammals. Research has demonstrated that nitrogen fertilization of hemlocks enhanced population increases of this armored scale. Many of them are agricultural pests, while others prey on trees or other plant life. 1) were accidentally introduced into the vicinity of New York City from Japan at the turn Of this century and have subsequently spread into several northeastern states (Weiss 1914, Ferris 1936). These less preferred host plants, if infested, are usually growing adjacent to infested hemlocks. The flattened, elongate, light yellow brown to brownish orange waxy cover of the adult female is about 1.5 mm long. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is advising people who have purchased wreaths, boughs and other evergreen decorations this season to burn them or … Elongate hemlock scale has a piercing-sucking mouthpart, which it uses to feed on cell contents within conifer needles. Consider having a licensed arborist do the sprayi… This type of treatment is highly effective on 95-99% of the pests as they ingest an ingredient t… Elongate Hemlock Scale is an exotic scale insect that prefers hemlock, spruce and fir but will also feed on cedar, pine, and yew. Johnson, W.T. Maintaining healthy trees may reduce the chances of an increase in the population of this pest. Author: Mary Kay Malinoski, University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Home and Garden Information Center (retired)and John Davidson, Extension Entomologist, University of Maryland (retired). Why do we need this? Although Eastern hemlock is most heavily damaged, heavy infestations also build up on Carolina hemlock, Japanese hemlock, yews, spruces, and firs. It is believed that this armored scale insect was unintentionally introduced into the United States from Japan. The systemic insecticide dinotefuran (e.g. The elongate hemlock scale (also known as EHS) that hitched a ride to Minnesota likely came from a processor in North Carolina, where the invasive insect has long been a problem. In early spring the females deposit eggs beneath their waxy covers and may continue to lay eggs through early summer. REC, Western Maryland
Elongate hemlock scale (EHS) is primarily found infesting eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana), along with fir and spruce in Massachusetts. The white, waxy cover of the male is smaller. Elongate hemlock scale may also be observed on cedar, Douglas-fir, pine, and yew, which tend to grow adjacent to infested hemlocks. Male covers are similar but smaller. Heavy infestations can have significant impacts on conifers. REC, Lower Eastern Shore
Like hemlock woolly adelgid, elongate hemlock scale is a sap feeder, which also can cause tree decline and mortality. They feed, with their tube-like mouthparts, within the vascular system, where nutrients and fluids are transported. Scale insects are small pests that feed on hemlock trees, and cause a waxy substance to transfer to hemlock needles, giving them a mosaic appearance. Pest description and damage Hemlock scale feed on the needles of Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and spruces (especially Colorado blue). The elongate hemlock scale is in a group of insects called “armored scales”. Populations of HWA are also found in western North America, including Canada, where it has most likel… Fiorinia externa, also referred to as elongate hemlock scale or fiorina scale, is an insect native to Japan that infests eastern hemlock, northern Japanese hemlock, Carolina hemlock, fir, and spruce. Photographer: Eric R. Day Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Symptoms the host tree experiences include: Frequently, this key pest is found on the same hemlock tree with hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae. Elongate hemlock scale on hemlock needles: Elongate hemlock scale on hemlock (left, middle (adelgid circled)) and fir (right): Needle discoloration on hemlock (left) and fir (right): Note: other pathogens, pests and processes will cause needle yellowing. Most contact insecticides cannot penetrate the waxy covering on scale nymphs and adults, so the crawler stage is the only life stage that these insecticides control. Two small wasp parasitoids, the lady beetle, Chilocorus stigma, and several species of lacewings are natural enemies of this scale insect that provide some population reduction. Signs of elongate hemlock scale include a yellow banding on the top of infested needles which can lead to premature needle drop. The scale covers are waxy and may be so numerous that the needles have a whitewashed appearance. Ew, scale insects! Originally from Japan, it was first discovered in the United States in Long Island, New York in 1908. To control any of the above scale insects, a 3% dormant rate of horticultural oil may be applied in late February to early March, or before budbreak in the early spring. The waxy covers of this species can be observed on the lower needle surface as well as on new cones. The insect damages hemlock needles by inserting needle-like mouth parts into leaf tissue and removing cell fluids. Elongate Hemlock Scale (Fiorinia externa) Fiorinia externa, also referred to as elongate hemlock scale or fiorina scale, is an insect native to Japan that infests eastern hemlock, northern Japanese hemlock, Carolina hemlock, fir, and spruce. Authored by: Gregory A. Hoover, Sr. Extension Associate. Armored scale insects do not feed on the contents of vascular cells. 1978, Diseases & Pests of Ornamental Plants, 5th Ed. Excessive loss of plant fluid reduces the growth and health of the plant. Elongate hemlock scale, Fiorinia externa Ferris, an invasive scale in the USA, is native to Japan and China that is a pest of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carrière) in the eastern United States. Elongate hemlock scale may also be observed on cedar, Douglas-fir, pine, and yew, which tend to grow adjacent to infested hemlocks. Females have three developmental life stages after the egg, and males have five. Handle carefully and store in original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. The principal host plants include eastern hemlock, T. canadensis, Carolina hemlock, T. caroliniana, and northern Japanese hemlock, T. diversifolia , fir, Abies spp., and spruce, Picea spp. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. 1967, Stimmel 1980). When closely examining infested hemlock needles, adult males may look like tiny wasp parasitoids as they crawl across the needles. Adult females may live up to one year. Closeup of elongate hemlock on needlesPhoto: Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org. Lyon. The adult female's body beneath the waxy cover, eggs, and crawler stage are yellow. They are long-living, shade tolerant conifers that usually grow in groups or are assembled with other tree species. As of May 2017, hemlock woolly adelgid (also referred to as HWA) had been found in localized areas of Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties, and additional surveys are underway. The elongate hemlock scale female, which would normally be seen if an infestation is present, is dark brown, longer than wide, and typically found on the underside of the needles. It's important to accurately identify what pest species or causal organism is present when maintaining the health of hemlocks. The pale yellow crawlers are about 1⁄250 inch (0.1 mm) long and have six short legs. Adult male scales only have one pair of wings. An infestation of this armored scale weakens trees allowing successful attack by secondary organisms such as the hemlock borer, Phaenops fulvoguttata, or Armillaria root rot. 1991. Hemlock Trees and their Pests. Introduction The elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa), is an introduced pest from Asia. It may also be found in cedar, Douglas fir, pine, and yew when those plants are grown nearby an infested hemlock. Hemlock trees are a ‘foundation species’ of forests. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement. When this condition is present, it may cause uninformed individuals to misdiagnose this as hemlock woolly adelgid. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. The male cover is elongate, white, and about 1.5 mm long. The waxy covers of this species can be observed on the lower needle surface as well as on new cones. 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