Spiny scale

Spiny scale (Latin Dinaspis aculeata) belongs to the order Hemiptera and the family Diaspididae. This small insect pest poses a significant threat to tropical and subtropical crops, showing high specialization toward specific host plant species.

The primary targets for infestation are members of the Rutaceae family (citrus) and various ornamental plants. The pest prefers to colonize leaves, shoots, and fruits, where it maintains a sedentary lifestyle, feeding on cell sap from the plant tissues.

The biology of Dinaspis aculeata is characterized by the presence of a protective shield under which the female body is hidden. The life cycle includes several stages: egg, crawler (nymph), and adult. Only first-instar nymphs are mobile, allowing them to disperse across the plant or be carried by the wind to neighboring specimens.

Damage manifests as yellowing, deformation of leaf blades, and premature leaf drop. Severe infestation leads to the dieback of young shoots, reduced market quality of fruits, and overall plant decline, causing significant crop losses and reduced aesthetic value of the plantings.

Effective control measures include the following strategies:

• Regular phytosanitary monitoring and quarantine measures when moving planting material.
• Application of systemic and contact insecticides during the crawler emergence period.
• Use of horticultural mineral oils to treat infested plant parts.
• Cultural practices: timely pruning and destruction of heavily infested shoots.