Coontie scale and fungus

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lwojton

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Jul 30, 2001
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Location
Palm Coast, FL
I have several coontie palms that have what looks to be scale (little round brown things) and black soot on the fronds. I've used soapy water and a tooth brush to clean it up, but it keeps coming back. I'm not sure what else I can do. Is there something that can rid this for good?
 
I usually have this happen on citrus trees at my place in Boca Raton. It appears to be the results of bugs on the upper leaves pooping/tinkling on the tops of the lower leaves and this fairly thick layer of black sooty mold grows in the poop/tinkle/whatever. After the tree has bloomed and the fruit is set I give it a spray of citrus insecticide and the problem goes away with the bugs.

I realize I'm not speaking at a high level of sophistication but I don't think you want a doctoral thesis, just a way to get rid of the black crud.

Good luck. Let us know what you do and whether it is successful.
 
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My Coontie

I have bought the Organocide and will use it this weekend. I've uploaded a picture of one of the plants....maybe it will help. I haven't found anything on the internet like this.

Lynne
 
It looks like some type of scale or even eggs of a moth. I have searched and searched and discovered that the Zamia is the larval food for the echo moth. I can't seem to find pictures of the eggs of this moth. Seen anything like this around?
http://www.daltonstate.edu/galeps/webpages/arctiidae/Secho.htm

Another view of the moth.
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files/Live/JE/JE8130.jpg

I also found this info on your Zamia. It says that it is prone to Florida red scale.
http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/misc/coontie-atala.pdf

Scroll down for Florida red scale.
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/scales.htm

This site is supposed to have pics of the eggs of the echo moth, but I can't get the photos to show.
http://www.wildflphoto.com/feat18.htm

Newt
 
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My Coontie

Since the coonties are in my screened area, I wouldn't miss seeing moths. And that I haven't seen. However the red scale looks like it could be it. I'll clean them up as best I can and then spray.

Thanks,
Lynne
 
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