Russo, M., Waisen, P., Lutgen, H., & Cheng, Z. 2023 Field evaluation of organic and synthetic insecticides against the hala scale, Thysanococcus pandani (Hemiptera: Halimococcidae), on Maui, Hawaii. Journal of Economic Entomology 116(6): 2070–2075

Keywords:

  • control
  • Notes: The hala scale, Thysanococcus pandani Stickney, is an invasive insect that infests hala trees, Pandanus tectorius, and has recently arrived in the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Oahu, and Molokai. Experimental field trials were set up to evaluate the efficacy of organic and chemical insecticides as potential treatments to mitigate the damage of T. pandani infestations. This was done on the Island of Maui, where T. pandani is widespread. The results of 2 repeated field trials indicated that flupyradifurone and buprofezin were effective treatments in the reduction of the hala scale infestation and improving visual aspects related to plant health.