Black Parlatoria Scale, Parlatoria Ziziphi (Lucas)

Black parlatoria scale or ebony scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas), is one of 5 species of Parlatoria known to attack citrus. Delucchi (1975) reported this scale as the only truly monophagous species attacking citrus. The armor of this species sticks so strongly to the substrate that it is practically impossible to remove (Delucchi, 1975). Masses of this scale may sometimes occur on leaves and fruit (Zimmerman, 1948). Black parlatoria scale is established on all continents with a tropical or semi-tropical climate with the exception of North America. During the period 1 July 1971 to 30 June 1972, this scale was intercepted 375 times at United States ports of entry from 36 foreign countries (Girard, 1974). The scale was reported to be established in Puerto Rico by the animal and plant health inspection service, USDA in 1975.