Fruit Bites July 7-9 Scales

Fruit Bites July 7-9 Scales

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us, like always, is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week’s topic Allison is Scale insects. So, what are we talking about?

AW: Scale insects can either be covered by a soft shell or a hard-armored shell. One example is the San Jose scale, commonly found in apple and pear orchards, and when feeding on fruit, can leave a small red spot. Higher populations feeding on twigs and limbs can cause tree decline or death.

BL: So, how do I find San Jose scale?

AW: From now until harvest, look for red spots on fruit. Scales hide in the crevices of the bark, so ensure thorough coverage and include a good horticultural oil.

But that’s not the only red, or mark scales have left. In the early 1500s when Spaniards arrived in Mexico, they saw the cochineal (KAA-CHUH-NEAL) scale being collected from prickly pear cacti and ground into the richest red powder used for dye; coveted by artists and royalty.

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for more Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.

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