In recent updates from the technical team at Anhui Ping'an Garden Plant Protection Technology Institute in Anhui Province, reports have surfaced regarding infestations of *Pittosporum sinensis* caused by a pest known as "blowing cotton." Below is a detailed introduction to the *Pittosporum umbellatum* and its associated threat.
*Pittosporum* is a genus of evergreen shrubs widely used in landscaping for gardens, roadsides, and public spaces. Among the pests that affect these plants, the "blowing cotton" scale insect is one of the most destructive. This pest has a broad host range, affecting not only *Pittosporum* but also *Osmanthus fragrans*, plum trees, magnolia, roses, camellias, pomegranates, and many other ornamental plants. The damage it causes is extensive and can lead to severe decline in plant health.
The main threat comes from both adult females and nymphs, which feed on the sap of shoots, leaves, branches, and stems. In severe infestations, entire shoots may be covered, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, leaf deformation, premature leaf drop, and even branch or plant death. Additionally, the honeydew excreted by the insects promotes sooty mold, which darkens foliage and hinders photosynthesis, further weakening the plant and reducing its ornamental value.
Morphologically, adult females are orange-red with a brown back, oval-shaped, measuring 5–7 mm in length. Their ventral surface is flat, with prominent protrusions on the mid-chest and thorax, surrounded by pale yellow wax and silken fibers. Mature females have a silver-white oocyst under their abdomen, typically featuring 14–16 vertical stripes. Male adults are smaller, about 3 mm long, with a black chest, narrow front, and grayish-brown body, ending with 3–4 hooks.
Nymphs are initially oval and orange in color. The first instar shows no sexual differentiation, with black eyes, antennae, and legs. They have four long hairs on the antenna tip and three pairs of long abdominal hairs. By the second instar, they are covered in thin wax, with four clusters on the dorsal midline, topped with yellow waxy material. As they develop, the body hair changes, and males become more active, with less wax and more visible coloration. Third-instar females develop more black hairs and a yellow and white wax coating, while males show wing buds and similar structures to adults, eventually pupating in cracks or loose soil.
The life cycle of this pest varies by generation, typically completing 2–3 generations per year. Adults or nymphs overwinter on branches, emerging in March of the following year. May and June are peak mating periods, with nymphs hatching from late May to late June. Adults appear from late June to mid-October, with peak activity in July and August. Second-generation adults emerge from late July to mid-August, with nymphs appearing from mid-July to early November, peaking in August and September. Each generation overlaps, and males are more active than females.
This species, *Pittosporum punctatus*, is rare and primarily reproduces through parthenogenesis. Female adults do not form oocysts but lay eggs while secreting wax, with an egg-laying period lasting approximately 25 days. A single female can lay between 200–600 eggs in the first generation and up to 700–1100 in the second. Newly hatched nymphs are highly mobile and tend to settle on the underside of tender leaves and branches. After the second instar, they move to the branches. First and second instar nymphs secrete large amounts of honeydew, contributing significantly to sooty mold development. Adult females remain on the same spot and do not migrate.
To manage this pest, several control methods are recommended:
1. **Cultural Control**: Remove infested plants and prune affected areas, then burn them to prevent spread.
2. **Biological Control**: Encourage natural predators such as Australian ladybugs and red ladybugs.
3. **Chemical Control**: During dormancy, apply lime sulfur at 1–3 degrees. During nymph stages, use 40% omethoate EC diluted 1000 times combined with 10% pyridine wettable powder at 1500 times. For adults, spray 800–1000 times solution of mad kill or 40% speed culling EC at 1500 times. Adding a small amount of diesel oil can improve penetration, but ensure thorough coverage. These treatments have shown effectiveness against scale insects.
Vitamins & Nutritions
Vitamins:
Vitamin A:
Retinol. Carotene compounds responsible for transmitting light sensation in the
retina of the eye. Deficiency leads to night blindness.
Beta carotene: An
antioxidant which protects cells against oxidation damage that can lead to cancer.
Beta carotene is converted, as needed, to vitamin A. Food sources of beta
carotene include vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and other
leafy green vegetables; and fruit such as cantaloupes and apricots. Excessive
carotene in the diet can temporarily yellow the skin, a condition called
carotenemia, commonly seen in infants fed largely mushed carrots.
Vitamin B1:
Thiamin, acts as a coenzyme in body metabolism. Deficiency leads to beriberi, a
disease of the heart and nervous system.
Vitamin B2:
Riboflavin, essential for the reactions of coenzymes. Deficiency causes
inflammation of the lining of the mouth and skin.
Vitamin B3:
Niacin, an essential part of coenzymes of body metabolism. Deficiency causes
inflammation of the skin, vagina, rectum and mouth, as well as mental slowing.
Vitamin B6:
Pyridoxine, a cofactor for enzymes. Deficiency leads to inflammation of the
skin and mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness , weakness and anemia.
Folate (folic
acid): Folic acid is an important factor in nucleic acid synthesis (the genetic
material). Folate deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin B12: An
essential factor in nucleic acid synthesis (the genetic material of all cells).
Deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, as can be seen in pernicious anemia.
Vitamin C:
Ascorbic acid, important in the synthesis of collagen, the framework protein
for tissues of the body. Deficiency leads to scurvy, characterized by fragile
capillaries, poor wound healing, and bone deformity in children.
Vitamin D: A
steroid vitamin which promotes absorption and metabolism of calcium and
phosphorus. Under normal conditions of sunlight exposure, no dietary
supplementation is necessary because sunlight promotes adequate vitamin D
synthesis in the skin. Deficiency can lead to osteomalacia in adults and bone
deformity (rickets) in children.
Vitamin E:
Deficiency can lead to anemia.
Vitamin K: An
essential factor in the formation of blood clotting factors. Deficiency can
lead to abnormal bleeding.
Nutritions:
For the treatment
of nutritional disease, any of the nutrient-related diseases and conditions
that cause illness in humans. They may include deficiencies or excesses in the
diet, obesity and eating disorders, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. Nutritional diseases also
include developmental abnormalities that can be prevented by diet, hereditary
metabolic disorders that respond to dietary treatment, the interaction of foods
and nutrients with drugs, food allergies and intolerances, and potential
hazards in the food supply. All of these categories are described in this
article. For a discussion of essential nutrients, dietary recommendations, and
human nutritional needs and concerns throughout the life cycle, see nutrition,
human.
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