{"id":3010,"date":"2016-12-21T14:49:38","date_gmt":"2016-12-21T22:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3010"},"modified":"2022-05-16T10:26:40","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T17:26:40","slug":"ceroplastes-rusci-l-fig-wax-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3010","title":{"rendered":"Ceroplastes rusci (L.): Fig wax scale"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Ceroplastes rusci <\/em><\/strong>(L.): Fig wax scale<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Hemiptera:\u00a0 Coccidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest Rating: \u00a0A<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

February 26, 2014, USDA distributed a Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP) report proposing to change the status of Ceroplastes rusci<\/em>, fig wax scale, from actionable to non-actionable for the continental United States.\u00a0 The scale would remain actionable for Hawaii and the Pacific territories.\u00a0 The insect is currently assigned a rating of \u201cA\u201d by CDFA, so a pest rating proposal is needed to determine future direction.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> is considered a serious pest of fruit trees in many countries2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Fig wax scale feeds by inserting its stylet into host leaves, shoots, and fruit2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Heavy infestations of the scale cause yellowing, loss of foliage, and poor fruit set2<\/sup>.\u00a0 The scale is polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants in at least 48 families1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Economically important hosts include almond, grape, citrus, pistachio, avocado, cotton, fig, palms, pear, and many ornamentals.\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> can move long distances through the shipment of infested palm trees as well as other host plants and plant parts.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/u><\/strong>: Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> is thought to be native to tropical Africa2<\/sup>.\u00a0 From there it has spread to parts of the Caribbean, Europe, southwestern Asia, Vietnam, and southern South America1<\/sup>.\u00a0 The scale has been known to be in Florida since 19941<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/u><\/strong>: Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> is considered a quarantine pest by Australia2<\/sup> and probably other nations.\u00a0 The USDA proposal also recommends that it remain a quarantine pest for Hawaii.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> is regularly intercepted by California, most often on palm nursery stock from Florida.<\/p>\n

The risk Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> (Fig wax scale) would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction:<\/strong> The present distribution of Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> corresponds to USDA plant hardiness zones 8-13. This indicates that the scale would be able to establish a widespread distribution over most of California.\u00a0 The polyphagous nature of the scale makes it likely to encounter suitable hosts throughout this area.\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> receives a High(3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score: 3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range:<\/strong> Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> feeds on a wide variety of plants in at least 48 families.\u00a0 The scale receives a High(3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score: 3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential:<\/strong> Scale insects have high reproductive potential.\u00a0 Fig wax scale frequently moves long distances in the trade of infested palm trees and other host plant products.\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> receives a High(3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score: 3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact:<\/strong> Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> feeds on many economically important crops where it has the potential to reduce fruit set2<\/sup>, lowering crop yield.\u00a0 The scale is likely to increase production costs in the nursery and fruit industries and lower the value of nursery stock by disfiguring plants with its presence.\u00a0 Fig wax scale is treated as a quarantine pest by Australia and possibly other nations.\u00a0 The USDA proposal also recommends that the scale remain actionable in Hawaii.\u00a0 This has the potential to trigger a loss of markets, especially for California\u2019s fresh fruit exports.\u00a0 Fig wax scale can also vector plant viruses2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> receives a High(3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

Economic Impact: A, B, C, E<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. The pest could lower crop yield.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

B. The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

C. The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

D. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/p>\n

E. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

F. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/p>\n

G. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

Economic Impact Score: 3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact:<\/strong> Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 There are no threatened or endangered plants in California that are likely to be host species.\u00a0 Fig wax scale is not expected to disrupt critical habitats.\u00a0 The scale may trigger additional treatment programs in the nursery and fruit industries and by residents who find infested plants unsightly.\u00a0 It is not expected to significantly impact cultural practices, home\/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings.\u00a0 Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> receives a Medium(2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

Environmental Impact: \u00a0D<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/p>\n

B. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n

C. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n

D. The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

E. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact.<\/p>\n

Environmental Impact Score: 2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> (Fig wax scale):<\/strong>\u00a0 High(14)<\/span>.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/p>\n

–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/p>\n

–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information:<\/strong> Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> has never been detected in the environment of California and receives a Not established(0)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

–Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span><\/p>\n

–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n

–Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

–High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is<\/strong> the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: High(14) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

There have been no formal surveys for Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> and it is frequently intercepted on palms, so there could be localized populations of the scale within the state.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

If Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> were to enter and establish in California it would find many of our high-value crops to be suitable hosts including almond, grape, citrus, pistachio, avocado, cotton, fig, palms, pear, and many ornamentals.\u00a0 The scale is likely to have significant impacts on these crops including lower yield, increased production costs, lost markets in Hawaii, Australia and other nations, and increased plant pathogen transmission.\u00a0 Environmental impacts of the scale are expected to be limited to increased treatments by residents and in the nursery and fruit industries.\u00a0 An A-rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1<\/sup>Culliney, T.W.\u00a0 2014.\u00a0 Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP); DEEP Report on Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> (L.): Fig wax scale.<\/p>\n

2<\/sup>Vu, Nga Thi, Rod Eastwood, Chat Thi Nguyen, and Lam Van Phan.\u00a0 2006.\u00a0 The fig wax scale Ceroplastes rusci<\/em> (Linnaeus) (Homoptera: Coccidae) in south-east Vietnam:\u00a0 Pest status, life history and biocontrol trials with Eublemma amabilis<\/em> Moore (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).\u00a0 Entomological Research 36: 196-201.\u00a0 http:\/\/www.oeb.harvard.edu\/faculty\/pierce\/people\/eastwood\/resources\/pdfs\/Ceroplastes-2006.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Responsible Party:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment Format:<\/h5>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s)\u00a0being commented on, as shown below.<\/p>\n

Example Comment:
\n<\/strong>Consequences of Introduction: \u00a01. Climate\/Host Interaction:\u00a0[Your comment that relates to \u201cClimate\/Host Interaction\u201d here.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may not be posted if they:<\/p>\n

Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to\u00a0the pest rating proposal;<\/p>\n

Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic,\u00a0sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal\u00a0material;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms\u00a0of discrimination;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the\u00a0website to be viewed, not just submitted.<\/p>\n

\n

Pest Rating: \u00a0A<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes rusci (L.): Fig wax scale Hemiptera:\u00a0 Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: February 26, 2014, USDA distributed a Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP) report proposing to change the status of Ceroplastes rusci, fig wax scale, from actionable to non-actionable for the continental United States.\u00a0 The scale … Continue reading Ceroplastes rusci (L.): Fig wax scale<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[18,5],"tags":[457,456,52],"class_list":["post-3010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hemiptera","category-entomology","tag-ceroplastes-rusci","tag-fig-wax-scale","tag-insects-and-mites"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-My","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14268,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=14268","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":0},"title":"Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus): Fig wax scale","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"December 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus): Fig wax scale Pest Rating: B Comment Period: 12\/04\/2025 \u2013 01\/18\/2026 Download Pest Rating Profiile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. 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Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In "A-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3008,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3008","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":2},"title":"Ceroplastes rubens Maskell: Red wax scale","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"December 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes rubens Maskell: Red wax scale Hemiptera:\u00a0 Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: February 26, 2014, USDA distributed a Deregulation Evaluation of Established Pests (DEEP) report proposing to change the status of Ceroplastes rubens, red wax scale, from actionable to non-actionable for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hemiptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3231,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=3231","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":3},"title":"Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock: Florida Wax Scale","author":"Raj Randhawa","date":"January 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock: Florida Wax Scale Hemiptera: Coccidae Pest Rating: \u00a0A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Ceroplastes floridensis is regularly intercepted by CDFA and a pest rating proposal is required to assign a permanent rating. History & Status: Background: Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, is one of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hemiptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2036,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2036","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":4},"title":"Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood): Stellate Scale","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"June 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Ceroplastes stellifer (Westwood): Stellate Scale (synonym Vinsonia stellifera) Hemiptera: Coccidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Ceroplastes stellifer is regularly intercepted by CDFA and is presently assigned a temporary rating of \u201cQ\u201d.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to determine a permanent pest rating.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hemiptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hemiptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=18"},"img":{"alt_text":"5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5169063-WEB-stellate-scale-by-Charles-Olsen-USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Bugwood.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1954,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1954","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":5},"title":"Insects, Mites & Earthworms","author":"Admin","date":"May 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Insects and mites are related in that their skeletons are on the outside (Phyllum: Arthropoda), but differ in that adult insects have six legs and adult mites have eight.\u00a0 Both groups can be beneficial, neutral or destructive to their environment.\u00a0 Like nematodes, they can cause yearly losses in the billions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ratings"","block_context":{"text":"Ratings","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=333"},"img":{"alt_text":"Insects and Mites Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3010"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10411,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/revisions\/10411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}