Peony Scale
Pseudaonidia paeoniae(Cockerell), Diaspididae, HEMIPTERA

DESCRIPTION

Adult -With a small, grayish-brown shell, the adult grows to about 2.5 mm. The female is circular or oval, and moderately to very convex (Color Plate 3Z). The orange yellow exuviae are subcentral to submarginal. Though similar to the female, the immature male is more slender, with submarginal exuviae.

Nymph-The nymph is tiny, flat, and purple.

BIOLOGY

Distribution -The peony scale has been reported only in the South.

Host Plants -Found mostly on camellias and azaleas, the peony scale is occasionally present on ligustrum and other shrubs.

Damage -—Burrowing beneath the bark of twigs and stems, the scale feeds on plant juices. Infested areas swell and later sink; small stems die quickly.

Life History -Little information on the biology and control of the peony scale is available. The scale has a burrowing habit, at times becoming practically hidden by the bark. Its presence, in such cases, can be detected only by the discovery of small bumps on the bark. Crawlers are present in May, only one generation of young being produced per season.

CONTROL

The scale is sometimes parasitized by a small wasp. For specific chemical controls, see the current state extension service recommendations.

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