Biology, Lifecycle and Inhabitants of These Yellow Things Growing on Palm Trees
When examining yellow things growing on your palm tree you may be questioning what they are and what purpose they serve. The yellow things growing on your palm trees are infestations of a scale insect known as South American palm scale or Lepidosaphes beckii. These scale insects are part of the larger infraorder Cochonillidia, and they possess a thick, hard shell that is usually a yellowish or yellow-brown color. This insect species is native to tropic and sub-tropic regions and is classified as an agricultural pest, as it uses its sharp mouthparts to feed on sap and diminishes palm tree health.
Scale insects range from 1.6 to 2.8 millimeters in length and are bilaterally symmetrical with an oval shape. These insects feed on the sap from palm trees, making them prominent agricultural pests. Like other scale insects, these yellow things growing on the palm tree possess a thick, protective shell that encases their body. The many small bumps that are visible on their shell occur in rows and offer camouflage amongst the fronds of the palm tree.
As scale insects reproduce asexually, biology plays an important role in this species’ lifecycle. The adult female scale insect will lay up to 1,000 eggs under her shield during her lifetime. These eggs are small, flat and oval shaped and remain protected by the shield until they hatch into the first instar stage. At this point, the young of the species, known as “crawlers” are mobile and will settle into the frond, feed and moult into second instar. Finally the insect moults into an adult stage where it will mate, reproduce, feed and die.
As the South American palm scale insect decreases the overall health of the palm tree, it is important to take necessary measures to protect against and eliminate any infestations. To balance the local ecosystem and ensure the health of the palm tree, it is best to use natural or chemical methods to remove the infestations. Typical chemical methods involve using pesticides or insecticides yet natural methods such as pruning or relocating beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings should always be taken under consideration.
Treating an Infestation: Before, During and After the Process
In the event of an infestation, various treatments are necessary to effectively remove the yellow insects from the palm tree. Typically, the process of removing the infestations will commence in the early spring when the crawlers are in the first instar stage and mobile to begin spreading. In this early stage, a systemic insecticide such as imidacloprid should be applied to the palm tree in a bid to stop the spreading of the infestation. Systemic insecticides are taken up by the tree and skinned by the scale insects.
As the South American palm scale insect shell is quite thick, a horticultural oil is recommended to help facilitate the breaking of the shell and elimination of any crawlers or adult-scale insects. This horticultural oil should be sprayed late in the day when temperatures are cooler to avoid any leaf injury. Ensure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as these oils can be dangerous if not used correctly. When applying this horticultural oil, ensure the insect is thoroughly covered and allow the first insecticide to effectively absorb into the tree.
Another step when eliminating the infestations is to use insecticidal soaps, which are formulated to kill both the crawlers and adults through direct contact. The insecticidal soap will effectively penetrate the shell of the adult-scale insect and dry them up, therefore killing them. Finally, to ultimately stop the spread of these infestations it is important to monitor and prune away any infested fronds to stop the spreading of these yellow insects.
How to Prevent Re-infestation
In order to effectively stop any future infestations from rising, the palm tree should routinely be monitored and checked for signs of yellow insects. It is important to keep an eye out for any changes in the tree’s health, sticky residue that may be left by the insects and any yellow or white bumps that may be found along the fronds. If any indicators of a growing infestation are present, act quickly to ensure the health of your tree is preserved, as the longer the infestation lasts the greater the risk of the palm tree being permanently damaged.
Ensuring your palm tree receives proper nutrition, sunlight and moisture are key steps when protecting against any palm tree diseases or infestations. Additionally, avoid using any poorly formulated fertilisers or pesticides to protect the health of the tree. Spraying Neem oil, or using a mixture of Turmeric powder, water and soap can be a great way to keep other pests away from your palm tree.
Palm Tree Health: Potential Issues, When to Seek Professional Help
If the infestation has been left for too long, or if the palm tree does not recover from the infestation, it can risk the health of the tree. Scale infestations can cause leaf yellowing, drop of leaves, thinning of the fronds and eventually the death of the palm tree altogether. In this case, it is necessary to seek professional help from an arborist or tree specialist, as they are trained in restoring trees back to their healthy condition.
In the early stages of infestations, it is best to always try and treat the infestation on your own. However, when treating an established infestation, it is best to enlist the help of a professional as they have the skills and knowledge to protect your palm tree from any further damage and cultivate a natural environment for your tree to grow healthy. Seeking professional help also ensures a more efficient and safe eradication of infestations, as a specialist will be able to quickly identify any issues and apply the correct treatments to ensure the health of your palm tree.
Preventive Measures Against Infestations
Routine inspection and monitoring of your palm tree along with pruning and general maintenance are the best preventive measures against any palm tree infestations. Eliminating any existing infestations is the first step before taking any preventive measures to ensure the health of the tree. As discussed previously, avoiding the use of any poorly formulated fertilisers or pesticides and using natural methods such as Neem oil and Turmeric paste can help protect your palm tree.
As scale insects reproduce asexually and lay up to 1,000 eggs, it is important to control the number of adults – as the more adults present, the more eggs that will be laid and the more the tree’s health will suffer. When controlling scale insect numbers, it is again best to use chemical or natural methods as discussed previously. Ultimately, keeping a clean and healthy environment is the best way to prevent any further issues from arising.
Sustainability and Renewable Resources
In the event of a scale infestation, it is best to opt for sustainable chemical methods or use renewable resources such as the natural methods mentioned. Natural methods are usually less toxic, less expensive, and more gentle on the environment and the local ecosystem, promoting a more sustainable and renewable way of protecting your palm tree. It is also advised to learn how to use natural methods to protect your tree and eliminate any issues, as this can also help maintain the general health of your tree and promote growth.
In some cases, chemical methods may be necessary and should be used as directed and in combination with natural methods. Chemical methods should be used as polluting and non-renewable, and should be avoided whenever possible. With more sustainable measures, we can better protect our environment, reduce our carbon footprints and extend our commitment to protecting the local environment and biodiversity.
