Gloomy Scale
Contact: Eric Day, Manager, Insect Identification Laboratory
August 1996
Gloomy Scale
Homoptera: Diaspididae, Melanaspis tenebricosus (Comstock)
Plants Attacked
Primarily red and silver maple; also elm,
hackberry, and boxelder.
Description of Damage
The bark becomes roughened and encrusted
with scales. Branches and limbs die back and result in a rapid
decline in tree vigor, occasionally resulting in the death of
trees. Seriously weakened trees are common in Virginia as a
result of scale populations, especially red and silver maples.
Identification
The scale cover is circular, dark gray, with a
black nipple on dorsum. The underside cover is snowy white.
Damaging stage - nymphs and adults.
Life History
Immatures complete development in spring and by
early- to mid-June eggs are hatching. These crawlers settle and
produce a second brood by late summer to early fall. These
immatures overwinter until spring when development is completed.
Two-plus generations per year. Overwintering stage - immatures.
Control
Spray with oils during dormant periods. Sprays for
crawlers may help, but crawlers emerge over a long period. There
is a peak in mid-June, but 2 or 3 sprays at weekly intervals are
necessary to obtain only fair control.
Remarks
Very destructive to forest and shade trees.