Scutigerella immaculata
Pest description, crop damage and life history
See:
Common Pests of Vegetable Crops
Biology and Control of the Garden Symphylan
Management-biological control
Many organisms prey on symphylans in the field, including true centipedes, predatory mites, predaceous ground beetles, and various fungi. However, little is known about their effect on symphylan populations.
Management-cultural control
Symphylan damage generally is associated with soils that are high in organic matter content and have good soil structure. Symphylans do not thrive in either compact or sandy soils, because these soils do not provide them with adequate tunnels for their movement (symphylans cannot make their own burrows). There is some evidence that packing down the soil surface after planting may reduce injury.
Flooding for 2 to 3 weeks has controlled symphylans in some situations but has been unsuccessful in others. Even in the best circumstances, flooding only reduces populations, and they can increase when conditions are again favorable. Effectiveness of rotations with nonhost crops has not been studied.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
- bifenthrin
- cyfluthrin
- pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
- chloropicrin (Telone)-Preplant soil fumigants.