Fiorinia

Fiorinia is a genus of scale insects belonging to the family Diaspididae. These armored scales are significant pests of various ornamental plants and agricultural crops, notably in greenhouse environments and warmer climates where they can thrive year-round.

These pests have a wide host range, frequently attacking citrus trees, camellias, palms, hollies, and various evergreen shrubs. They often establish colonies on the undersides of leaves, making them difficult to detect until the infestation has reached advanced stages.

The biology of Fiorinia revolves around the protective scale cover produced by the females. The lifecycle includes the egg stage, the mobile crawler stage (first instar), which is responsible for dispersal, and the sedentary adult stage. Males are winged and short-lived, while females remain fixed in place once they begin feeding.

Damage caused by Fiorinia includes leaf chlorosis, yellow spotting, and stunted development of twigs and branches. By depleting the plant of essential nutrients and sap, these insects weaken the overall structure of the host, leading to premature leaf drop and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.

Control measures primarily rely on a combination of cultural and chemical practices. Growers should prune and destroy heavily infested plant parts. Chemical management involves applying systemic insecticides or horticultural oils, which are particularly effective against crawlers and help suffocate the sedentary stages under their protective armor.