Tag: gloomy scales

Two-part image: Left side shows tree branches over a suburban sidewalk, and on which many small bumps can be seen. Right side shows a close-up on a tree trunk with the same small bumps covering nearly all of the bark.

Are Trees in Species-Rich Urban Plantings Less Susceptible to Pest Damage?

A new study on scale infestations in urban red maple trees adds evidence to the view that diversifying urban tree plantings is a sustainable and effective management strategy for otherwise difficult-to-manage pests.

Entomology Today 3 weeks ago Leave a Comment

The Warmer the Better: Gloomy Scale Can Be a Big Problem on Urban Landscape Trees

Gloomy scale is a pest of deciduous trees that tends to increase in abundance and damage severity in urban areas. This insect feeds on tree cells and tissues, prefers red maple as a host, and may expand its range as climate change continues to alter our environment.

City Heat Boosts Tree-Killing Scale Insect Populations

Big cities with large expanses of concrete, asphalt, and buildings are usually warmer than the suburbs or countrysides that surround them, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. […]