A New Emerging Pest Threat To Kashmir’s Poplar And Fruit Trees

Climate change, changing cropping patterns, and increased movement of planting material are contributing to changes in insect pest distribution. A recent example is the Giant soft scale, Drosicha turkistanica. Farmers reported severe infestation, approaching 90% of trees, in both nurseries and mature poplar plantations. Infestation was also observed on willow and Chinar. Major symptoms included [...]