Landscape - Scale Insects: Fern Scale

This is the 16th in a series on scale insects in the landscape. This post is on the Fern Scale. Information is from the University of Maryland.

Fern Scale (Pinnaspis aspidistrae (Signoret)), Family Diaspididae

Plants Damaged: In Maryland this scale is found mainly on liriope, Rohdea and mondo (Ophiopgon) grass and ferns but it is a general feeder and has been reported on camellia, persimmon, peony, and Prunus.

Damage Symptoms: When feeding on liriope and mondo grass the scale causes yellow spots on the foliage at the feeding sites.

Life cycle: On liriope the scale has been observed overwintering as late instar females in the crown of the plants. Crawler emergence coincides with new growth emerging form the liriope in May. A second generation has been observed with crawlers present in August and September. The second generation scale appear to establish in the base of the mondo grass and liriope plants.

Control: Cut off infested foliage in early spring and remove it from the landscape. Treat with a systemic insecticide or apply Distance and oil when the crawlers emerge in May.


Information from "Scales Commonly Encountered in Maryland Landscapes and Nurseries" by Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in IPM for Nurseries and Greenhouses,and Suzanne Klick and Shannon Wadkins, Technicians, Central Maryland Research and Education Center University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.