Lepidosaphes beckii (purple scale)

Dispersal from plant to plant occurs through the activity of crawlers at points where adjacent plants touch. Thus, spread of infected material can be reduced by pruning and allowing adequate spacing between plants throughout cultivation. Mechanical control can be achieved by scraping and scrubbing to remove scales.

L. beckii populations are often controlled by natural enemies. These predator and parasite populations can be disturbed by the use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Insect Growth Regulators used in the control of scales have been shown to disrupt the fecundity and egg viability of Chilocorus sp. (Hattingh and Tate, 1995). Aphytis lepidosaphes is particularly successful at L. beckii control, as this scale is its primary host. Carerro (1980) reported 90-95% parasitism by A. lepidosaphes in some (although not all) orange groves in Valencia since its introduction from France in 1976. Between 1952 and 1968, A. lepidosaphes was used to successfully control purple scale in Texas (USA), Mexico and Greece (DeBach and Rosen, 1991). It is also reported to play a major role in controlling L. beckii populations in Egypt (Abdel-Fattah and El-Saadany, 1979) and Spain (Carrero, 1980). Partial control of L. beckii by A. lepidosaphes was reported in Brazil, Peru, Chile and Cyprus (Debach and Rosen, 1991).Aphytis melinus, which has been used in the widespread control of the red scale (Aonidiella aurantii), also attacks L. beckii (Debach and Rosen, 1991). A. melinus is documented to be particularly good in citrus-growing areas, where other parasites are vulnerable to temperature extremes and dust (Swan, 1964). Hare and Morgan (1997) report on the mass-priming of Aphytis sp. for biological control.Aphytis holoxanthus and Aphytis chrysomphali also attack L. beckii and occur extensively throughout the world. Spread of these parasites has occurred as a result of introduction to control the Florida red scale (Chrysomphalus aonidum), and through accidental spread with its hosts. A. chrysomphali is presumed to be native to the Mediterranean (DeBach and Rosen, 1991).

Chemical control, where necessary, is usually achieved by spraying with mineral oils at critical points during the season. Mixtures of mineral oils and insecticide (e.g. organophosphates) may be used in control. Benassy et al. (1980) reported that on orange trees in Corsica, A. lepidosaphes was unable to control the pest by itself and that monitoring strategies for determining an economic threshold for chemical treatment were impractical, since by the time different levels of infestation on the leaves could be determined the fruits had also been invaded. They concluded that treatment should be begun as soon as scales are detected, even in small numbers. However, such combinations are highly detrimental to natural enemies, possess high mammalian toxicity and should be avoided except in extreme emergencies.