Crapemyrtle-pest

Guides

• Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae

  crapemyrtle bark scale, CMBS

  Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, commonly called crapemyrtle bark scale or CMBS, is an invasive felt scale insect native to East Asia. First detected in the United States near Dallas, Texas in 2004, it has since spread to at least 17 states across the Southeast and Middle Atlantic regions. This phloem-feeding pest primarily infests crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.), forming distinctive white, felt-like coverings on trunks and branches. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback, reduce flowering, and promote black sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion. The scale has also been confirmed on alternative hosts including American beautyberry, pomegranate, apple, and spirea.

  invasive-speciesscale-insectfelt-scalehorticultural-pestphloem-feedercrapemyrtle-pesturban-entomologyintegrated-pest-managementhoneydew-producersooty-mold