The Post-Invasion Population Dynamics and Damage Caused by Globose Scale in Central Eurasia: Destiny of Wild Apricot Still at Stake

The globose scale (GS) Sphaerolecanium prunastri (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a serious pest affecting plants within the Rosaceae, notably wild apricot, Armeniaca vulgaris (Lamarck). Following its initial detection in 2019, more than 80% of valleys with wild apricots have become affected in the Ili River Basin of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China. This study assessed GS population dynamics post invasion and its effects on the growth and reproductive traits of wild apricot trees from 2019 to 2024. Nymph densities have decreased but remain high, with densities per 20 cm of shoots of 986 (1st-instar nymphs) and 120 (2nd-instar nymphs) in 2024, respectively. Damage has declined, with high damage rankings decreasing from 24% to 11% of wild apricot trees. However, the mortality of trees was higher (25%) in infested than non-infested areas (13%). Interestingly, GS feeding stimulated the growth of spring shoots but significantly reduced the reproductive capacity of wild apricots. Heavily infested trees exhibited increased shoot length (2–3 times), decreased fruit yield (20-fold), lower flowering percentage (8-fold), and reduced flower bud density (2-fold) compared to non-infested trees. Overall, despite a decrease in damage severity, wild apricot forests remain threatened by GS. Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is essential for effective GS management and the recovery of wild apricot forests.