Pheromone monitoring is cost-effective

Although several beneficial insect parasites control California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) in southern California desert citrus-growing areas, parasites are much less effective in the San Joaquin Valley. Chemical control has been the standard practice in Valley citrus, but potential development of resistance in California red scale has led to a search for alternative methods.

Two articles in the May-June issue of California Agriculture discussed computer simulation of red scale populations and prediction of infestations by trapping males. The following two articles report on CRS development in relation to degree-days and on the economic value of pheromone monitoring. The research has been funded by the Citrus Research Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and University of California Integrated Pest Management Project.