Red scale parasite for brown soft scale
Brown soft scale is a soft scale, and Aphytis melinus parasitises armoured scales, laying its eggs under the separate waxy cover that soft scales lack. Suppliers list only armoured species such as California red, oleander and San Jose scale. It is listed here because shoppers searching for a scale parasite often buy it for sticky houseplant scale. For that, UC names Metaphycus wasps as its main parasites and the lady beetle Rhyzobius lophanthae as a predator, so protect the first and consider releasing the second.
Before you order
Released as adults onto armoured scale on citrus, ornamentals and indoor plants. It lays under the scale cover and kills more scales by feeding on them. It does not attack soft scale. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Aphytis melinus profile.
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for brown soft scale
- Rhyzobius lophanthaePredatory lady beetle · 2–5 per infested plant, or 2–6 per 10 ft² (1 m²), every 1–2 weeks
- Soft scale parasitoid waspsParasitoid wasp — hard to buy · Wild — conserve; M. helvolus is rarely sold