Control of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and Chrysomphalus ficus Ashmead on citrus in South-Eastern Queensland

Abstract

Eight organic insecticides and six brands of mineral oil were tested against two major scale insect pests of citrus, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and Chrysomphalus ficus Ashmead. Effective control of both scales was given consistently by methidathion and omethoate and
(on the one occasion when used) by 2 · 5 % white oil. Effective control of A. aurantii was also given by promecarb plus white oil (used on two occasions) and azinphos methyl plus white oil (used on one occasion). Dimethoate and parathion gave a lower level of control of
A. aurantii. Low strength oil sprays 1% and 1·25% were sufficiently effective against both scales to warrant further testing in an integrated control programme.