Scaling up: Understanding the natural history of Japanese maple scale on boxwood

The Japanese maple scale (Lopholeucaspis japonica, Hemiptera: Diaspididae; JMS) has been a persistent pest of ornamental plants in the US since 1914. However, in recent years, JMS infestations have become more prevalent and pose a significant threat to the nursery industry, resulting in economic losses from unsellable infested plants. The lack of knowledge regarding this pest has led to significant revenue loss, due to plant rejections or loss of plants. To help the nursery industry decrease their losses, it is crucial to understand the phenology, biology, and morphology of JMS. A set of studies were conducted in Virginia, using boxwoods as our study case for this key pest. Commercial blocks were selected, and infestation rates and phenology were recorded. The presence of crawlers was monitored within these blocks using the tape method. Additionally, we explored the implementation of the sticky card methodology to augment field studies for dispersal within blocks. The information gained from understanding the phenology, biology, morphology, and distribution of JMS, could help growers reduce economic loss induced by this pest.