Development of an integrated management program for control of the roseau

cane scale
Rodrigo Diaz, Blake Wilson, and Jim Cronin
Widespread die-offs of roseau cane have been
reported in Plaquemines Parish since fall 2016. Roseau
cane is widely used for erosion control at the mouth of
the Mississippi River because of its ability to grow at
depths unsuitable for other marsh plants. Due its
aggressive growth and strong rhizomes, roseau cane
increases soil accumulation, provides habitat for
fisheries and migratory birds, protects oil and gas
pipelines, and prevents shoreline erosion from direct
exposure to storm surge.

Upon close examination, state biologists found that

cane die-offs were associated with the presence of a scale insect. This scale insect was recently
identified by Dr. Scott Schneider (USDA-ARS) as Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Kuwana) and is
native to China and Japan (McConnell, 1954). The roseau scale feeds on the cane sap and can be
found along the stems. Roseau scale females are oval, pale yellow to brown in color, and measure
up to half inch long. In the native range, the scale has been collected from plant species in the
grass (Phragmites, Agropyron) and rush (Juncus) families (McConnell, 1954). Whether the
population found in Plaquemines will attack only roseau cane or other native and crop grasses is
unknown. Interestingly, Mississippi River Delta is comprised of a mixture of multiple varieties of
roseau cane including our native type along with invasive varieties originating from Europe and
North Africa (Lambertini et al. 2012). These varieties may
differ in their resistance to the scale, but this has never been
examined.

Infestations of the scale have been reported in large areas at

the mouth of river including Venice, Grand Bay, Jaquines
Island, Double Bayou, Pass A Loutre Wildlife Management
Area, and Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The extent of the
infestations in Plaquemines Parish or in other parts of
Louisiana is unknown. Cane samples collected from Zinzin Bay
revealed that infestations reached more than 700 insects per
stem causing extensive damage to the plant. A tiny wasp or
parasitoid was found attacking the scale. The parasitoid was
identified by Dr. John Noyes (British Natural History Museum)
as Neastymachus japonicus Tachikawa, and it is endemic to
Japan (Japoshvili et al. 2016). While scale populations are still reaching damaging levels, without
the mortality by the parasitoid, population increases could be exponential.
Management options for roseau scale insects in wetlands have not been studied. However, in
China roseau pests are controlled with winter burns, removal of crop residues and spring
submersion of plants (Brix et al. 2014). The use of insecticides is generally not recommended in
aquatic habitats, however, they could be an option if reduced-risk application methods can be
developed.

Because of accelerating loss of Louisianas coast, it is imperative that the state develops short
and long term management plans for monitoring the health of roseau stands and mitigating
impacts of this invasive scale. We propose the following actions:

Objective 1. Educate public about the importance of roseau cane to mitigating coastal erosion
along the Mississippi River Delta and the potential for spreading the roseau scale
Procedure: Printed material, short videos, and presentations about roseau cane and the scale
will be developed. Topics will include how to identify roseau cane and the scale, and their
importance for Louisiana. As the program evolves, information on management options will be
provided in training sessions to state biologists, extension agents, and pest control applicators.
Anticipated Impacts: Education will be critical to prevent unintentional movement of the scale
to other regions. The impact of the education program will be evaluated using online surveys.

Objective 2. Monitor distribution and range expansion of roseau scale along the Louisiana
Gulf Coast and assess naturally occurring biological controls
Procedure: A statewide survey will be conducted in coordination with several agencies and
other interested parties. At each sampling location, plant, insect, and environmental data will
be collected. Plant data will include height, stem thickness, biomass, damage, and rhizome size.
Insect data will include number of scales, percent mortality by the parasitoid, and densities of
other insects (aphids, ants). Environmental data will include pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen,
nitrate, and water depth. Sites will be monitored monthly for two years.
Anticipated Impacts: A map of the distribution of the scale will support management efforts
along Louisiana coast. By understanding the interaction of plant, insect, and environmental
variables at a landscape level, the program will be able to identify conditions which lead to
scale outbreaks and prioritize management actions.

Objective 3. Examine the effect of roseau scale infestation, water depth, and salinity on
roseau cane health

Procedure: The impact of roseau scale density, water depth, and salinity will be examined under
greenhouse and field conditions. To manipulate levels of water depth and salinity, a simulated
environment experiment will be conducted using 10 gallon buckets under greenhouse
conditions. The effects of scale infestation on plant variables including biomass accumulation,
damage, rhizome biomass, Carbon: Nitrogen ratios, and stem thickness will be measured. In the
field, insect exclusion studies will be located in areas with low and high salinity. Plant and insect
variables will be collected as described in Objective 2.

Anticipated impacts: Increased understanding of the interactions of several stress factors on

roseau cane health is critical to development of an effective management plan.

Objective 4. Evaluate insecticidal management options the roseau scale and implement a
reduced risk chemical control strategy
Procedure: Small plot insecticide evaluations will be conducted in the greenhouse and in the
field on terrestrial stands of infested roseau cane to identify products and applications methods
which effectively control roseau scale while having minimal risk of non-target effects on the
coastal ecosystem.
Anticipated Impacts: Determination of chemical control strategies will mitigate impact of the
roseau scale along the coast by protecting stands of roseau cane from further scale attack.

Objective 5. Assess host plant specificity of roseau scale and identify pest resistant roseau
cane varieties
Procedure: Greenhouse and field experiments will be conducted to identify varieties of roseau
cane resistant to the scale. The potential for this scale to attack important crop grasses
including sugarcane, rice, corn, and sorghum will also be examined. In addition, populations of
the scale in different roseau cane varieties will be monitored in Plaquemines Parish.
Anticipated Impacts: Experiments will assess the threat of this pest to crop production and
reveal grass species that could sustain populations of the scale. The identification of roseau
cane varieties resistant to scale will be important to the pest management program and
restoration efforts in Plaquemines Parish.

Budget
Item Year 1 Year 2 Total
Personnel: Research Associate
- salary $36,000 $36,000 $72,000
- fringe benefits (46%) $16,560 $16,560 $33,210
Personnel: Co-Investigator
- salary $11,728 $11,728 $23,456
- fringe benefits (46%) $5,395 $5,395 $11,870
Personnel: Postdoctoral Associate
- salary $41,000 $41,000 $82,000
 - fringe benefits (46%) $18,860 $18,860 $37,720
Travel to field locations $17,535 $17,535 $35,070
Materials and supplies $15,000 $5,000 $20,000
Total direct costs $162,078 $152,078 $315,326
Indirect costs (20%) $32,416 $30,416 $62,850
Total requested $378,176

Budget Notes
Personnel: $260,256. Project leaders will direct all research efforts with supporting staff. A full
time research associate will be hired at a salary of $36,000 per year. The associate will be
responsible for Objective 2 and assisting with other objectives. A post-doctoral associate will be
hired at a salary of $41,000 per year. The post-doctoral associate will be responsible for
Objectives 1, 3, 4 and 5, specifically the preparation of detailed protocols, collection and
analysis of data, and writing scientific reports. Co-investigator JT Cronin is in the College of
Sciences and on a 9-month appointment. As he will both advise and be directly involved in the
research, particularly involving the various Roseau varieties, he will commit 100% of his time for
the equivalent of one month per summer to the project (monthly salary of $11,728).
Travel to field locations: $35,070. Monthly trips to several sampling locations in Plaquemines
Parish or other locations in the state will be needed. Transportation costs will include gas for
state vehicles. Access to deep water sites in Plaquemines will require renting a large boat.
Materials and supplies: $20,000. Water tanks, pots, insect cages, temperature data loggers,
water quality meters, laboratory analyses of plant and water samples, and rental of greenhouse
space.
Total direct costs: $315,326
Total indirect costs: $62,850; 20% of direct costs
Total requested: $378,176

References
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