The IPSN is therefore conducting a survey to monitor the spread of Pine tortoise scale in botanic gardens in European countries.

Pine tortoise scale (Toumeyella parvicornis) is a Nearctic pest of pine occurring from Mexico, throughout the United States (except the north-west) and into south-central Canada. It was first reported in Italy in 2015 and has spread to Abruzzo, Campania, Lazio and Apulia regions. In 2021 it was found in France Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region. It is contributing to the decline and mortality of stone pine (Pinus pinea), particularly in urban areas. In the Caribbean it is a highly invasive pest and in recent decades it has decimated the native Caicos pine forests (Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is not yet known how susceptible Scots pine is to T. parvicornis but it was not recorded on P. pinea until it was introduced to Italy.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to take part in this survey.

Thumbnail image: Pine tortoise scale – USDA Forest Service – Northeastern Area , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood org