PestMedium Severity

Obscure Scale

Melanaspis obscura

An armored scale insect that forms dense, clustered colonies on bark and twigs, sometimes creating layers of individuals. Adults are approximately 1/25 inch diameter with gray to tawny coloration, often with a distinctive black nipple in the center.

Peak Season: Adult maturation: Mid-July on red oak, August on white oakOverwintering: Males and females on pin oak until early MayEgg laying: Early July with decreasing quantity until early SeptemberCrawler activity: Most abundant in early summer with second surge in AugustGenerations: Single generation per year
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Obscure scale infestation showing clustered gray to tawny scales on tree bark

Identification & Symptoms

What to Look For

Gray to tawny colored scales approximately 1/25 inch diameter
Clustered formation creating layers of individuals as they enlarge
Sometimes a black nipple visible in center of scale
Yellowish-orange crawlers gathering under layers of adults
Dense infestations on bark and twigs
Gradual weakening of heavily infested branches

Potential Damage

Sap extraction weakening affected trees
Branch dieback in heavily infested areas
Reduced tree vigor from extensive feeding
Aesthetic damage from scale encrustation
Potential for secondary pest and disease problems
Economic losses in ornamental and timber plantings

Lifecycle

Adults complete growth at different times depending on host: mid-July on red oak, a month later on white oak. Males and females on pin oak overwinter until early May before maturing. Single generation each summer with eggs laid from early July through early September.

Professional Treatment Approach

1

Imicide applications targeting crawler stages for maximum effectiveness

2

Systemic Imisol treatments for long-term protection

3

Time treatments with crawler emergence periods

4

Target early summer applications and August surge

5

Monitor for scale buildup and apply treatments before heavy infestations develop

Recommended Mauget Products

Imicide

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against obscure scale.

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Imisol

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against obscure scale.

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