NSW Department of Primary Industries

Giant pine scale

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Current situation

Giant pine scale (Marchalina hellenica) is a scale insect that sucks the sap of pine trees. This scale insect is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, specifically Greece and Turkey. Excess sap is excreted from the scale as honeydew which ants and bees gather for food. In Greece the bees are farmed for this honeydew as it produces a specialty honey called pine honey.

Giant pine scale was recorded in Australia for the first time in November 2014 in metropolitan Melbourne and Adelaide. The Victorian and South Australian state departments of agriculture conducted surveillance and attempted to eradicate this pest. In 2016 it was nationally agreed that eradication of giant pine scale was not technically feasible.

New South Wales is free from this insect pest.

Notifiable status

Giant pine scale (Marchalina hellenica) is not a notifiable plant pest in NSW.

However, if you suspect giant pine scale:

A full list of notifiable plant pests and diseases can be found in Schedule 2 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.

Description

Adult giant pine scale is 7 to 11 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide and is covered by a fluffy white waxy coat (Figure 2).

When giant pine scale is present in very large numbers on a pine tree the white waxy coat gives the appearance of snow (Figure 1).

Giant pine scale is harmless to people and pets.

What to look for

The most obvious sign of giant pine scale is the fluffy white wax covering which it produces. The wax is generally seen on the trunk and lower branches.

Host trees

In Australia giant pine scale has been found on Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and on radiata pine also called Monterey pine (Pinus radiata).

Overseas, giant pine scale is found on pines (Pinus), firs (Abies) and spruces (Picea).

Damage

Heavy infestations of giant pine scale may result in defoliation of the host tree and eventual tree death.

Spread

Giant pine scale has low mobility and adults are wingless. Crawlers only move short distances on the host tree. Some local spread may occur by ants harvesting the eggs of giant pine scale.

Long distance spread is by human assisted movement of infested pine branches, needles and cones.

Distribution

Giant pine scale is native to pine forests in the eastern Mediterranean region, specifically Greece and Turkey.

Giant pine scale was found in metropolitan Melbourne and Adelaide in November 2014.

Giant pine scale is not present in New South Wales.

Image gallery

Figure 1. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale has white waxy substance in cracks of bark

Figure 1. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale; Image - Vic DEDJTR

Figure 2. Magnified image of giant pine scale (Image: Andrea Battisti, Universita di Padova, Bugwood.org)

Figure 2. Magnified image of giant pine scale; Image: Andrea Battisti, Universita di Padova, Bugwood.org

Figure 3. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale has white waxy substance in cracks of bark(Image: VIC DEDJTR)

Figure 3. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale; Image: Vic DEDJTR

Healthy pine tree with clear bark

Figure 4. Healthy pine tree with clear bark

Figure 5. Healthy pine bark can have other debris on it

Figure 5. Healthy pine bark can have other debris on it

Figure 8. Healthy stone pine

Figure 8. Healthy stone pine

Figure 1. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale has white waxy substance in cracks of bark
Figure 2. Magnified image of giant pine scale (Image: Andrea Battisti, Universita di Padova, Bugwood.org)
Figure 3. Pine tree infested with giant pine scale has white waxy substance in cracks of bark(Image: VIC DEDJTR)
Healthy pine tree with clear bark
Figure 5. Healthy pine bark can have other debris on it
Figure 8. Healthy stone pine


Released/reviewed: 3 April 2017

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au