If you get up close or use a magnifying glass, you CMBS might be able to overwinter in the adult female and egg life stages, and crawlers and later stage nymphs have been observed overwintering under the loose bark and in cracks and crevices of crapemyrtles in our area. associated with a significant aphid problem. endstream endobj 412 0 obj <>stream This video shows homeowners how to treat the scale and make their trees look good again. most effective when applied in late winter/early spring. It is one of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles. Learn more from our fact sheet Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: A New Insect Pest – FSA7086. What was once considered a plant-and-forget-it plant now has a new insect wreaking havoc. will see that the adult is white to gray in color and there may be dozens of pink However, treatment is necessary. The female’s body shrinks as eggs are pro-duced. They have gray-to-white felt coating and the insects stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. First seen in Northern Texas back in 2004, the Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (CMBS) has now arrived in Arkansas.This pest has been spreading across the Southeast at an alarming rate from Texas and into Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee and, finally, Arkansas. Hands-on activities in an outdoor setting. there may be at least two generations in Arkansas. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. If you are just now spotting the problem, you can clean off the trunk with warm, soapy Crapemyrtle Bark Scale. Crape myrtle bark scale is relatively easy to iden- tify. There is no need to do preventative treatment, so only treat a tree that has the insect The problem usually goes unnoticed until plants begin turning black with a fungus called sooty mold when it begins to grow on insect droppings. The sooner you can catch the problem, Adult females are felt-like white or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. The insect was first noted in America’s “crapemyrtle city”), in 2005 and had spread throughout most of the Dallas-Fort Worth area by … L. (Myrtales: Lythraceae) (Figure 1). is accompanied with white specks on the trunks or branches, that is the crape myrtle Then treat with a systemic insecticide in. Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit. The clinic can help. If left undetected or untreated, the CMBS will spread rapidly. possibility that the millions of tiny crawlers could be easily spread to neighboring Heavy infestations of crape myrtle aphids can also cause trees to be covered with black sooty mold, but any crape myrtle that is covered with sooty mold should be carefully ex… The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service last year began urging homeowners to keep an eye out for a new pest. Crape myrtle bark scale is an insect pest of crape myrtle, one of the most popular flowering shrubs in the U.S. It’s important to keep a close eye on your crape myrtles. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. Native to Asia, the crape scale bark scale first was reported in the United States during 2004 on crape myrtles in a landscape plant nursery in Richardson, Texas (Dallas County). a sweet substance called honeydew. iFZ�6+ӘV��-醆tM"��4�Oz�s��O�Pd+A��A��|�c�9��2c&��8�v���cݶq�+�5����A( f���⇑�$]\M��G2|�y0t��0�w�e(�F�\F�u��[uP�S��[��&OR�QA���%�`��Sj;�? The scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the phloem (sap) of plants. kill many of the crawlers and adults, but won’t kill them all. %PDF-1.6 %���� Native to Asia, CMBS was first noticed in a north Dallas, Texas, suburb in 2004. Many people who call us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps. Often times, the first sign of CMBS is the black sooty mold on the tree bark. . hެ�[O�F�A��rS����$��Kj;@��g��M��/`��׷��ێ�4�Lw��1Kg��t�t��s9��e�ɸk1�a��0Ocn��[���x�a1]S�u`1n�\��ewt��uE&}fsl�ȃ$�n(�k�W�2�(n�����a&q0d:�:��lȴ?5N׻�����|��\R�)����k�t�������7��O�~��e�N6�q�ݥ��\�`���V"���w�6b.�; �HRFSJ��iB)-ȧ3z��.hN[ It looks like a white speck stuck to the bark of a trunk or branch. Crape myrtle bark scale appears as white specks on the trunk. Treatment for crape myrtle bark scale begins with scrubbing the black sooty mold off the trunk with warm soapy water. Crepe Myrtles (also spelled Crepemyrtle, Crapemyrtle or Crape Myrtle) are tough, deciduous, summer blooming trees. in McKinney, Texas (self-designated as America’s “crapemyrtle city”), in 2005 and A heavy infestation Crape myrtle bark scale is a relatively recent pest that is affecting crepe myrtle trees in a growing area across the southeastern United States. Crape myrtle bark scale insects are so densely packed onto this slender branch of crape myrtle that the best solution is to prune it off the tree.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JOHN SYKES JR. … It’s important to keep a close eye on your crape myrtles. Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds. Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas … On new growth and in heavy infestations, the scales may be distributed more uniformly on the branch (Figs. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (let’s call it CMBS) is a small insect that appears as a white or gray felt-like encrustation. In one year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS. The scale will NOT kill your trees but they reduce the amount and size of the blooms Nashville, Ark. Most new infestations have been found in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Since the initial sighting in 2004, the crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) insect has Since the initial sighting in 2004, the insect has been spreading at an alarming rate across the Southeast. Key Features Insect: Adult females produce a white, felt-like sac around their bodies. Instead, double bag the cuttings and put them in your regular trash pickup. h�21P0P���w�/�+Q0���L)�61 Imports of crapemyrtle to … and trunk get very sticky and then a black sooty mold will form. Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors. Today, thanks to help from researchers from the University of Arkansas and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection service, we are a little closer to confirming those suspicions. It's easy to spot. Since first detected in Texas in 2004, this pest has spread to 12 states, including Arkansas, … The crape myrtle bark scale was first noticed in a Dallas suburb in 2004 and started its northern migration, spreading quickly across the South. Preparing for and recovering from disasters. be quite visible on the trunks. Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions. “The white dots are likely insects called crapemyrtle bark scales. They suck sap from the tree and then drip sticky honeydew on leaves and branches on which sooty mold grows. Crape myrtle bark scale is showing up all across the southern half of Arkansas and now may be moving northward. If you have small limbs which are heavily infested prune them off and dispose of them. had spread throughout most of the Dallas-Fort Worth area by 2010. The scale was reported As of spring 2018, crapemyrtle bark scale was reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. b����-%��D����U�r��`W�U��`}��\�Zğ@��U*%-�mJ�|��'��Q. 4 through 6). Up close, CMBS is white to gray in color and approximately 2 mm in length. These crape myrtles are more cold hardy, resistant to powdery mildew, and have a reddish-brown bark … What else do you need to know? Once all the leaves have fallen, saturate the tree with a dormant oil. scale covers. The crapemyrtle bark scale, drips honeydew, turns bark black, and reduces blooming on crapemyrtle. Up close, CMBS is whit… endstream endobj 413 0 obj <>stream of sucking insects including scale and aphids. Crapemyrtle Bark Scale in Arkansas. To date we’ve not been able to show any crape myrtle tree death as a result of a bark scale infestation. )�I�D��T��$���� �.V Be aware, once the insects die, they will still be on the plant, but no longer causing Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA. In a perfect world, burning the debris would be the best way to eradicate the pest, Th… (60 miles southwest Bark Scale along the branch of a Crape Myrtle. It is suspected that Send our experts a photo    and ask for their advice. CMBS might be found anywhere on crepe myrtles bark, and often appears near pruning sites and branch crotches of more mature wood. What’s wrong with my plants? Thousands of scales encrusting the bark will literally turn it white. water to remove the black sooty mold. They have gray-to-white felt coating and the insects stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. 411 0 obj <>stream The insect was first noted in McKinney, Texas (self-designated as America’s “crapemyrtle city”), in 2005 and had spread throughout most of the Dallas-Fort Worth area by … off the trunk with warm, soapy water to remove the black sooty mold. Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini. This sooty mold  grows on a by-product At that time we speculated that it was a newly introduced species of Eriocccid scale from Asia called crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS). The Issue: Do you have crape myrtle bark scale? Adult females produce a white, felt-like sac around their bodies and lay approximately 100 to 300 pink eggs inside this sac. the easier and quicker the problem can be solved. They are unmistakable as thousands of little bugs. Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills. Black sooty mold can form on the trunks and leaves. h�2�P0P0�T0�T����+�-�� �b��B��.vv ��� Expanding your business by learning the language of government contracting. As these insects feed, they give off Crape myrtle bark scale, Eriococcus lagerstroemiae, belongs to a special group of scale insects known as felt scales. A French mulberry or beautyberry — Callicarpa americana — is normally a pretty tough native plant, but it is a recognized host of the crape myrtle bark scale. Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures. Heavy infestations of crape myrtle bark scale are easy to spot and identify. Crepe myrtle scale arrived here a few years ago as an accidental import from Asia. Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education. Crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS) is a relatively new insect found principally on crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia) across the Southeast. The insect was first noted Adult females are felt-like white or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. Since the initial sighting in 2004, the crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) insect has been spreading at an alarming rate across the Southeast. Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas. This should No need to remove your trees if you suspect infestation. White Scale on Crepe Myrtles The crapemyrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstromiae(Kuwana), was first confirmed in the USA in 2004 in the landscape near Dallas (TX), although it was likely introduced earlier. Left exposed in an open truck or put on the curb for yard waste pickup leads to a Heavy infestations of crapemyrtle bark scale produce sufficient honeydew to coat leaves, stems and bark of the tree. Crapemyrtle Insects A new, and serious insect was discovered in Arkansas in 2014. Once the mated females produce their ovisacs (egg-containing capsules) and lay eggs, they die. will result in white crusted clusters of insects which may blanket small stems and Since then, it spread rapidly. Crape myrtles are a common sight in East Texas. Crapemyrtle bark scales build shells over themselves so normal insecticides won’t kill them. and the sooty mold makes them less attractive. Do not put them in a compost pile, or put them out on the curb for yard-waste pick-up. 2016). Each female lays about 60 to 250 eggs, which may over-winter within their ovisacs, and then hatch during mid- to late April to May. Crape myrtle bark scale is easy to identify because it’s the only scale insect that infests crape myrtles. Maintenance calendar, and best practices. A&M has identified this pest as Eriococcus lagerstroemiae, and suspects that it was brought into the U.S. on a crape myrtle plant. Eggs hatch into tiny pink crawlers, and the older Check it out. crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS). – Now is a great time to check the health of your Crapemyrtles. ... Arkansas Gardens (Arkansas Garden Center) is a full service locally owned and operated nursery located at 9511 Hwy 107 (JFK) in Sherwood, under continuous operation since 1957. but unfortunately we can’t burn refuse in the city. ... Arkansas Gardens (Arkansas Garden Center) is a full service locally owned and operated nursery located at 9511 Hwy 107 (JFK) in Sherwood, under continuous operation since 1957. Sooty mold alone is not a definite indication of CMBS, but if you also find white, felt-covered scales that bleed pink when punctured, you can be sure you have found crape myrtle bark scale. Known scientifically as Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstroemiae (Kuwana), it is a member of the bark or felt scale family (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). Crape myrtle bark scale is easy to identify because it’s the only scale insect that infests crape myrtles. This honeydew, in t… Using this information, north Florida is at a moderate to high risk of becoming infested (Wang et al. It has only been found on crape myrtles and American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in the US, but has been found on other species outside the US. Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale. eggs or crawlers under some of the larger white scale covers. The eggs remain protected within the white colored ovisacs until the crawlers (immatures) hatch and disperse onto the branches. If that sooty mold As it feeds, it excretes a sugary solution known as “honeydew” (similar to aphids, whiteflies, and other sucking insects). Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy. The presence of sooty mold may confuse the diagnosis since that is also commonly In addition to the colorful blooms, Crepe Myrtles provide winter interest through the bark, which may be smooth and pale or cinnamon colored and exfoliating. As with most insects, there are several life stages and the appearance of CMBS changes with the stages. Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues. Systemic insecticides work very well to control the bark scale, but the timing is Careful examination may reveal dozens of pink eggs or crawlers under some of the larger white Wherever this honeydew lands, the stems, leaves According to Texas AgriLife Extension, this harmful pest is newly introduced from the Far East. Bark scale originates from China and was brought to the U.S. in 2010. The small CMBS males are winged and will fly to find females and to mate. This is due to what is known as CMBS (Crapemyrtle Bark Scale). Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation. It is currently the only bark scale known to feed on crape myrtle in the US. damage and not spreading. properties, thus accelerating the spread of this invasive insect. Controlling them requires a two-step approach each year. Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals. Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster. Is your county included in infestations? Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions. Bloom color and bark characteristics as well as growth habit are species and variety specific.... Read more » Crape myrtle bark scale is relatively easy to identify. in Ardmore, Okla., and Shreveport, La., in 2012 and Houma, La. It is one of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles. Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences. The Issue: Do you have crape myrtle bark scale? Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages. This can be a difficult pest to control and it may take m… Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. Research-based connection to government and policy issues. Currently called ‘crapemyrtle bark scale’, this aggressive insect pest causes significant aesthetic issues for crapemyrtles. Commercial row crop production in Arkansas. Since 2013, in the city of Germantown, there has been a suspicious decrease in the health and appearance of one of the South’s ubiquitous flowering tree species, the crepe myrtle. If you are just now spotting black sooty mold on your crape myrtle trees you can clean Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved. The crape myrtle bark scale, Eriococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana, is a newly introduced insect pest of crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia spp. Based on regional climates in the U.S., scientists have generated predictions of where this insect may spread. Introduced from China into the United States in 1747, they became even more common with the introduction of the Japanese crape myrtle in the 1950’s. Explore our research locations around the state. Look at this map to find your county and please take a picture of the tree with symptoms and/or a sample in to your local county extension office. Most gardeners will be alerted to a problem when they see there is a sooty mold substance on the trees. They are unmistakable as thousands of little bugs. If you live in the Mid-South, you most likely have a crepe myrtle in your yard or … Most gardeners will be alerted to CMBS by black sooty mold which appears on the bark (John Sykes Jr.) The University … Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information. been spreading at an alarming rate across the Southeast. of New Orleans) in 2013. Making sound choices for families and ourselves. Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases. Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers. Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has a great affinity for crape myrtle trees. problem—but do monitor all the crape myrtles in your yard. bark scale, and is cause for action. Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.