Abstract
Chemical treatments were evaluated for control of the lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), an invasive polyphagous pest of woody plants in southern Florida. Root drench treatments with imidacloprid applied as Merit 75WP to large Indian laurel trees, Ficus retusa L. (Moraceae), at rates of 0.19, 0.38 and 0.76 g of product per centimeter of trunk diameter, were equally effective in virtually eliminating live lobate lac scales within 103 days after applications of treatments. Samples taken 523 days post-treatment indicated that the trees had not become reinfested. Of seven treatments tested as topical applications for reducing the percentage of live lobate lac scales on wax-myrtle shrubs, Myrica cerifera L.(Myricaceae), bifenthrin and imidacloprid were highly effective based on sampling at four weeks post-treatment. Organocide (containing fish and sesame seed oils and lecithin) and malathion in combination with paraffinic horticultural oil were moderately effective. In a separate test, bifenthrin formulated as Onyx was highly effective in reducing the percentage of live 1st instars and matures when applied with or without Hasten spreader sticker to infested Inga edulis Martius (Fabaceae).
