California Shield: description and methods of fighting

The California shield is a harmful insect that parasitizes on more than 150 species of cultivated plants. In domestic latitudes, fruit trees are most often damaged: apples, apricots, pears, sweet cherries. The California plate, the photo of which is presented in this material, harms the trunks of plants, and branches, and leaves.

Females

Female lacking wings, antennae and legs, differ in the presence of a shield of round shape. Such california scutum has a size of up to 2 mm. The chitinous shell acquires a shade similar to that of the fodder plant. In different cultures, the size, length and shape of the female body can vary. Recognize individuals of this category can be on a characteristic yellowish skin with a white border located in the center of the scute.

Males

Taurus males have an oval, elongated shape. The length of the scutum is from 0.6 to 1 mm. Color - from yellowish and black to light gray. Mature California male shield contains a dark transverse band on the shell.

Unlike females, males have well-developed wings, legs and antennae. Highlights their presence of pronounced purple-tinted eyes. In some regions, males without wings are found.

Larvae

There are several forms of larvae of the California shield:

1. The tramp is a newly hatched individual. Has an oblong-oval body shape, the length of which is from 0.2 to 0.3 mm. Has legs, eyes, well-developed oral apparatus, the size of which can exceed the length of the body.
2. The nymph is the transitional stage of the larva, on which the chitinous shield is formed. The body acquires an oval shape. In this period of development, the California shield changes color from gray to dark black.

What harm does the scab do?

California billboard is absolutely unpretentious in nutrition. The rapid growth of the population and active reproduction is also facilitated by the absence of natural enemies. That is why the insect well established itself in American and European gardens.

Shields are located in numerous colonies on branches, fruits and leaves of cultivated plants. In the process of development, the larvae suck out the juice from the trees, which leads to cracking and death of the bark. The depletion of plants hinders their growth, causes deformation and a decrease in fruits.

Trees, afflicted by large colonies of scabbards, often lose the ability to produce crops, since the main stocks of nutrients are used to restore the structure of leaves and bark.

The fight against the California shield is extremely important, since plants affected by the pest die even in mild frosts. Actions aimed at protecting fruit trees are undertaken in early March, when the plants have not yet formed buds.

The pest development cycle

The larvae of the California scabbard hibernate on the bark of branches and trunks, hiding from external influences under strong, well-insulated chitinous shells. With the arrival of heat during the period of juicing, insects are awakened and begin to feed. After several lines for 20-22 days, the larvae complete the transformation into adult individuals.

Males show activity in reproduction by mid-May. Their number is about 10% of the total population. Each female generates up to 100 larvae for several months. The latter creep in huge quantities along the branches of trees, stick to the bark and cover with shields, which serve as their natural protection.

Discarding the shield, the males mate, and then die. In early August, females stick to plants, continuing to consume nutrients, and with the onset of coldness go into hibernation, becoming covered with a stronger shield.

Signs of the defeat of plants with a scab

The main sign of the appearance of the pest is the formation on the leaves of trees of light and brownish round scales. The latter are difficult to separate from the surface. Such manifestations indicate the presence of adults of California calf.

A sign of the spread of the pest larvae is the loss of the bark of natural glitter trees. The defeat of plants by developing insects also leads to the emergence of sap on the branches and trunks, the gluing of the leaves. On damaged areas of wood, brown and red spots are formed. In the absence of actions aimed at the destruction of insect larvae, these areas subsequently die off, which leads to a gradual drying of the plant.

California Shield: Fighting Measures

Destroy the pest by spraying trees. They resort to the procedure when the air temperature at night is not lower than 4 ^о С. Otherwise, the liquid in the working composition can freeze.

What chemical kills the California shield? Sprinkle trunks and tree crowns with neonythionides, pyrethroids, agents that contain organophosphorus compounds. The treatment is performed by washing the plants. In other words, the trees are completely covered with liquid chemical composition. Only this approach allows us to count on the complete destruction of the larvae and the creation of conditions that prevent the reproduction of adult individuals.

Considering how to deal with the California shield, it is worth noting such an effective tool as mineral oil. The result of the treatment of cultivated plants with this solution is the formation on the surface of the last thinnest airtight film. Enclosing of trees with such a tool causes rapid death of the larvae of the scales due to lack of oxygen. Mineral oils for processing trees are safe for humans. They can be used even if there are mature fruits on the branches.

A prerequisite for the preparation of trees for chemical treatment is the preliminary removal of dead cortex and dry branches, leaves, root canopy, thinning of the crowns. The formed cleanings are collected in one place, after which they are burned.

Finally

So we looked at how the California shield was destroyed. Pest control methods are available to everyone. At the same time, one must understand that too frequent chemical treatment of trees adversely affects not only the insect, but also the plants, prevents the normal development of the fruit. Therefore, insecticides are not recommended for use more than a few times a year.

To avoid infecting the garden with insects, you should purchase samples for seedlings only in proven nurseries. If it is necessary to plant trees in regions where the Californian scab is extremely common, it is better to give preference to crops that have natural resistance to the pest.

Preventive measures and care for trees are of special importance in the fight against the shield. Therefore, the dead bark, skeletal branches and old trunks must be cleaned in a timely manner, burning the residues. Abundant watering, feeding trees, caring for depressed plants allow them to recover faster from harm caused by insects.