The Pine Needle Scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) is an important pest on pine and spruce. Overwintered Pine Needle Scale nymphs lay emerge in spring and the first adults may be seen soon after and begin to lay eggs. After egg hatch, crawlers emerge. There is typically 1 generation per year. Insecticide treatments targeting crawlers are typically the best way to control Pine Needle Scale populations for the entire growing season. Pine Needle Scale Growing Degree Day Model, developed by researchers at Michigan State University, and available on the Pest Prophet app, is a tool growers can use to predict egg hatch based on field-specific temperature data.

Initiating the Biofix

To properly use the model, the biofix must first be set. This is the date that will serve as the starting point for growing degree day accumulation. For this type of model January 1st is the standard biofix to start accumulation (for the Northern Hemisphere). This can be used to predict when adults will emerge and pheromone traps can be used.

After adults are observed and confirmed, the biofix can be adjusted in order to improve accuracy of the model for predicting later life stages.

Growing Degree Day Accumulation and Treatment

After the biofix is set, growing degree day accumulation can begin, using a lower threshold of 50F. This can be done using daily high and low temperatures, or using hourly temperature data using the Pest Prophet app. Eggs hatch and crawlers are present at approximately 250 GDD (F) after the Jan. 1st biofix. The hyaline stage emerges approximately 150 GDD(F) following this. These adults can be targeted for insecticide treatment.

Source:

Fondren, K. and D.G. McCullough. 2002. Biology and management of pine needle scale. MSU Extension bulletin E-2812. 4 p