Abstract
This document provides an in-depth profile of the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell, detailing its introduction, distribution, description, and economic impact. Originating from Australia, this pest spread to California and later Florida, causing significant damage to citrus groves. Biological control methods, including the introduction of the vedalia beetle, have been implemented to manage its population. The cottony cushion scale is distinguished by its bright orange-red body and large, fluted egg sac. It primarily affects citrus and pittosporum plants, leading to decreased tree vitality, fruit drop, and defoliation.
References
Baker JR. (2005). Cottony cushion scale. Department of Entomology Insect Note. North Carolina State Extension. (20 April 2020) https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/cottony-cushion-scale
Debach P. 1973. Biological Control of Insect Pests and Weeds, Chapman and Hall, London. 844 p.
Ebeling W. 1959. Subtropical Fruit Pests. University of California Press, Los Angeles. 436 p.
Fasulo TR, Brooks RF. (2001). Scale pests of Florida citrus. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00008161/00001
Gossard HA. 1901. The cottony cushion scale. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 56:309-356.
Grafton-Cardwell EE. (2003). Cottony Cushion Scale. UC/IPM Online. (no longer online)
Maskell WM. 1878. On some Coccidae in New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 11: 220-223.
Morrison H. 1928. A classification of the higher groups and genera of the coccid family Margarodidae. USDA Technical Bulletin 52: 203-211.
Weeden CR, Shelton AM, Li Y, Hoffman MP. (2005). Rodolia cardinalis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Vedalia Beetle. Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America. (no longer available online).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2014 UF/IFAS