Hala Scale: Thysanococcus pandani (Hemiptera: Halimococcidae)

Picture of a leave with words "Hala Scale"

Tiny black scales on hala leaves can be found on the undersides of hala leaves in low infestations, and on both the underside and top of leaves in heavy infestations.

picture of Plant with Hala Scale

Showing the size of each individual adult scale, compared to a dime.

Magnified photo of mature female scales with waxy white fringe.

Magnified photo of mature female scales with waxy white fringe.

A badly infested hala tree with yellow, twisted, and stunted leaves.

A badly infested hala tree with yellow, twisted, and stunted leaves.

An infested hala tree, bare and dying.

An infested hala tree, bare and dying.

Other scale insects on Hala leaves that may be mistaken for the Hala Scalehttps://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2015/06/other-scale-insects-on-hala.pdf

Hala Scale flyer for weavers: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2015/06/hala-scale-flyer-for-weavers-62016.pdf

Hala Scale Pest Advisory: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2021/04/hala-scale-PA-15-01-update-4-8-2021.pdf

News articles:

https://www.kitv.com/news/hala‐trees‐under‐attack/33213528

 

Hala scale on Molokai:

https://themolokaidispatch.com/a-new-invasive-species-hala-scale-2/

 

Hala scale on Maui:

https://mauinow.com/2012/11/19/pest-poses-threat-to-culturally-significant-hala-trees/

https://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/06/22/news/story7.html

 

Other articles on Hala:

https://www.bishopmuseum.org/kaelele/2015/winter/6%20Botany%20Hala.pdf