ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF ICEPLANT SCALES, PULVINARIA AND PULVINARIELLA IN CALIFORNIA. FINAL REPORT

The primary goal of this research project was to develop biological and ecological information for the management of two iceplant scale species on iceplant along California freeways. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework was used as a context for this work. Two scales, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi (Pm) and Pulvinaria delottoi (Pd) were introduced into California in the early 1970s, and the former assumed serious pest status by 1977. Both scale species continue to spread throughout California, but Pm is moving at a much faster rate than Pd. This differential spread is related to a greater reproductive potential in Pm, which has two generations in Northern California and 3+ in Southern California (Pd has only one per year). Introduced parasitic wasps Metaphycus funicularis, M. stramineus and Encyrtus saliens have been established on the scales using classic biological control techniques, and the evidence to date indicates that they are impacting significantly on the scale populations. It thus appears that the IPM effort should focus on those activities that promote the establishment, spread and conservation of the parasites. Tailor-made recommendations for Caltrans for implementing the IPM/Bio Control approach are provided.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Berkeley

  Department of Entomological Sciences
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Frankie, G W
  • Hagen, K S
• Publication Date: 1985-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biological control; Biology; Ecology; Pest control; Weighing devices
• Uncontrolled Terms: Scale
• Old TRIS Terms: Iceplants; Parasites; Pulvinaria delottoi; Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi; Wasps
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457076
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-CA-HM-02
• Contract Numbers: E79HM08
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:38PM