Icerya purchasi, (Maskell 1876)

Synonyms

Pericerya purchasi, Silvestri 1939

Background

Icerya purchasi, also known as the cottony-cushion scale, is an important pest of citrus and ornamentals worldwide. It is one of the most well-known iceryines because of its economic importance and because it is easy to identify.

Cottony-cushion scale is successfully controlled by two biological control agents in California. Rodolia cardinalis, the vedalia beetle, controls the pest in inland, drier areas of California, while the parasitic fly, Chryptochaetum iceryae, controls the scale in the wetter coastal areas.

For more information regarding management of the cottony-cushion scale, please refer to the University of California's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) website. The wonderful resource provides more information about biological control agents and chemical control strategies.

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Known Hosts

Collection locations (* denotes type collection information)

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References

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© Cory Unruh 2005