Landscape - Scale Insects: Gloomy Scale

This is the 17th in a series on scale insects in the landscape. This post is on the Gloomy Scale. Information is from the University of Maryland.

Gloomy Scale (Melanaspis tenebricosa (Comstock)), Family Diaspididae

Plants Damaged: This armored scale is commonly found on maples. It is also reported on several woody plants including dogwood, sweet gum, poplar, catalpa, black locust, willow, and grape.

Damage Symptoms: The heaviest damage is reported on maples with dieback of terminal growth on heavily infested trees.

Life cycle: Fertilized females overwinter. Egg laying occurs in early July and continues through August. Crawlers are present a short time after egg laying. Adult males are present in August.

Monitoring: Female covers are circular and brown to gray in color. Shed skins in the center appear to be shiny black.

Control: A mixture of 1% horticultural oil and Distance could be used on small trees. Dinotefuran (Safari) applied as a soil drench may control this pest


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.