Ecology and Biological Control of Iceplant Scale, 'Pulvinaria', in California

摘要

The iceplant scales, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi and Pulvinaria delottoi, have spread rapidly throughout California in the past decade. Dispersal has been primarily by wind though inadvertant transport by infested cuttings has probably been important. Growth and development of the scales is strongly temperature dependent. In Northern and Central California P. mesembryanthemi undergoes two complete generations per year with reproductive peaks during the spring and fall months. Pulvinaria delottoi is currently restricted to counties near San Francisco Bay.