Ant exclusion to promote conservation biological control of soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on landscape plants

The hypothesis was tested that excluding honeydew-gathering ants with sticky trunk bands will suppress soft scale infestations on landscape trees and shrubs by reducing ant-created enemy-free space and allowing greater access to the scales’ natural enemies. Ant exclusion has resulted in collapse of aphid and soft scale populations in natural and agricultural systems but has not previously been tested in the landscape. First-year results of experiments with established and manipulated calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum, oak lecanium scale, Parthenolecanium quercifex, and magnolia scale, Neolecanium cornuparvum, infestations will be presented.