(Aonidomytilus albus)
Credits: Biovision-Infonet
(c) USDA ARS, Bugwood.org
It is a mussel-shaped scale with an elongated silvery-white cover and about 2-2.5 mm long. This scale may cover the stem with conspicuous white secretions, and eventually the leaves. This scale sucks from the stem and dehydrates it.
The leaves of attacked plants turn pale, wilt and drop off. Severely attacked plants are stunted and yield poorly. Scale attack can kill cassava plants, in particular plants weakened by previous insect attack and drought. Stem cuttings derived from infested stem portions normally do not sprout.
What to do:
- Apply of organic matter to improve soil fertility.
- Selection of clean (scale free) planting material.
- Destroy infested stems.
- Avoid use of pesticides in the cassava field or in neighbouring crops, which may kill natural enemies.