Symptoms of damage

• San Jose scales cause injury by feeding on twigs, branches, and fruit; they may also inject salivary toxins while feeding.
• Heavy populations on the bark can cause gumming and kill twigs, branches, and entire trees if left uncontrolled.
• A characteristic, red halolike discoloration often forms around the insect on small twigs or infested fruit.
• Fruit with haloes will be culled because of its unsightly appearance.

Identification of pest

• Female scale is yellowish orange, round, slightly convex and raised a little at the centre with a black pustule
• Males are small and more linear shape

Management

• Select nursery stock free from scale infestation
• Spray application of systemic insecticides like phosalone 0.05% and methyl demeton 0.025%
• Field release of coccinellid predators like Chilocorus nigritus and parasitoid, Encarsia perniosi