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4 October 2023 Field evaluation of organic and synthetic insecticides against the hala scale, Thysanococcus pandani (Hemiptera: Halimococcidae), on Maui, Hawaii
Mason Russo, Philip Waisen, Hannah Lutgen, Zhiqiang Cheng
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Abstract

The hala scale, Thysanococcus pandani Stickney, is an invasive insect that infests hala trees, Pandanus tectorius, and has recently arrived in the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Oahu, and Molokai. Hala scale is native to Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore and was accidentally introduced to Maui, with its first detection in Hana in 1995. The hala tree is a frequently planted ornamental plant throughout Hawaii's urban landscape and is also a native tree found in coastal areas of ecological suitability throughout the state. These trees are integral to native Hawaiian weaving traditions, as the leaves were used to make items such as sails, hats, or mats.The spread of T. pandani threatens the continuation of these practices, as the plant material may not be sufficient for weaving. Hala trees infested with T. pandani can have negative effects such as deformation, discoloration, and early tree death. Experimental field trials were set up to evaluate the efficacy of organic and chemical insecticides as potential treatments to mitigate the damage of T. pandani infestations. This was done on the Island of Maui, where T. pandani is widespread. These trees were artificially inoculated with T. pandani and evaluated throughout the trials for changes in plant height, canopy width, scale removal, and visual infestation ratings. The results of 2 repeated field trials indicated that flupyradifurone and buprofezin were effective treatments in the reduction of the hala scale infestation and improving visual aspects related to plant health.

Mason Russo, Philip Waisen, Hannah Lutgen, and Zhiqiang Cheng "Field evaluation of organic and synthetic insecticides against the hala scale, Thysanococcus pandani (Hemiptera: Halimococcidae), on Maui, Hawaii," Journal of Economic Entomology 116(6), 2070-2075, (4 October 2023). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad184
Received: 10 April 2023; Accepted: 27 September 2023; Published: 4 October 2023
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

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KEYWORDS
chemical control
landscape
Ornamental horticulture
ornamental plants
scale insect
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