Aphid pest control is a pretty easy job, first, because lots of natural predators help cut down on aphid populations, and also because aphids are very soft, small bugs that can be washed away with water. As crawlers, they are highly mobile, six-legged, have no protective cover, and are usually smaller than a pinhead. Here’s how to get rid of scale insects with dormant oil. One generation per year is produced. Three types of scale can affect houseplants: Armored scale bugs—These scale insects have a round, oval shape, and hard shell cover. The female deposits her eggs beneath herself on a twig of the host plant. Instead it secretes a thin, transparent film, which does not totally cover the insect. Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. The following menu has 3 levels. Scale insects can weaken and even kill trees, shrubs and houseplants, but in general, complete loss of the plant is rare. Once they start feeding, they quickly begin to produce the hard protective covering as they grow. Get expert help from The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic. Applying a dormant oil in winter will kill overwintering aphid eggs so they can’t cause a problem next season. The female scale lives under a gray or brown shell and is usually found on the branches. But there are actually three major families of scale insects. In general, they are destructive. Types Of Scale Insects. Produce a sugary liquid called honeydew 2. Their discreet look can make it really hard to spot them out on trees and shrubs. What Are Overwintering Pests and How To Prevent Them. The eggs hatch into yellow-orange colored crawlers over a two-to-three week period in late May or early June. Scale insects thrive in warm, dry environments. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement made by The Morton Arboretum. There are more than 25 species of scale insect found in British Gardens. Building the urban forest for 2050. The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors. 12), Eriococcidae, and Asterolecaniidae. Each species has a different host range and life cycle. The amber to reddish-brown nymph overwinters on a branch. They do not secrete honeydew.Soft – Secrete a waxy film (up to 1/2 inch long) that is part of the body. Like it or not, pests in our yard do the same. Scale insects can be divided into two groups:Armored (Hard) – Secrete a hard protective covering (1/8 inch long) over themselves, which is not attached to the body. Juniper scale / Early July The honeydew leads to the growth of black, sooty mold which is a fungus that reduces plant aesthetics. Have tree and plant questions? Another difference … Scale insects can look hemispherical, oval, or flat, and they can ruin a plant and stunt its growth by sucking out the sap. Within a submenu, use escape to move to top level menu parent. There is one generation per year. When a soft body is beneatha cover, the plant is likely to have live armored scales. The scale covering is brown, elongated, narrow in width and about 3 mm in length (Fig. There are, however, a few types of scale insects which are economically valuable and are “farmed” for the substances they produce. Whenthe bump itself can be squashed it is likely to be some othertype of scale. Subscribe to the "The Sapling" on the Davey Blog for the latest tips to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape throughout the year. The best way to describe scale insects is as tiny bumps on tree branches and twigs. This scale settles on the needles of its host and forms a 1/8-inch white, oystershell-shaped cover. Scale insects are ranked into two categories these are soft and armoured. ©2020 The Davey Tree Expert Company. The pesticide information presented in this publication is current with federal and state regulations. This fungus blackens roofs, porches, and any plant foliage where the honeydew is deposited. Armored scales, on the other hand, don’t make honeydew. Pachysandra and Eastern red cedar are also susceptible. Hibernating females often resemble small mealy bugs: oval-shaped and covered in short, white, waxy filaments. Need help managing or identifying an overwintering pest? Eggs hatch beneath the females in late spring or early summer, and crawlers then migrate to leaves of the host plant to feed. The other two are called scale insects, with the following distinction: armored scale … They get up close and personal with our plants in winter and hang out there until warmer days kick in. Scales are sucking insects that insert their tiny, strawlike mouthparts into bark, fruit, or leaves, mostly on trees and shrubs and other perennial plants. When scale insects excrete honey-dew, the foliage gets covered with sooty mold (Figure 1). Euonymus scale / Early June, . Management of scale insects varies with the species. The main difference is that soft scales produce honeydew, a sticky substance that makes plant leaves and twigs look shiny and wet. and yew (Taxus sp.). Sooty mold on holly resulting from Florida wax scale infestation. Two generations are commonly produced per year. To most growers, they are either dealing with “scales” or “mealies”. You can search, browse, and learn more about the plants in our living collections by visiting our BRAHMS website. Aphids are one of the most common garden pests because they multiply at a crazy fast rate. Here's how to get rid of aphids on large or small trees. There are more than 20 families of scale insects world-wide including hard or armoured scales (family Diaspididae), soft scale (family Coccidae), ground pearls or margarodid scales (family Margarodidae), mealybugs (family Pseudococcidae), felt scales (Eriococcidae) and other smaller groups, e.g. Insecticidal soaps can be effective against the crawler stage but usually have no effect on the adult scale. 2015). By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. There are other different types of scale and some scale insects are host specific, such as rose scale, white palm scale, gum tree scale and tea scale (camellias). When honeydew falls from a tree, leaves shouldbe inspected for live soft scales or mealybugs. Considering the Soft Scale category, Pink Wax Scale is one of the examples and Citrus Red Scale this is considered to be an example for Armoured Scale category. As crawlers, they are highly mobile, six-legged, have no protective cover, and are usually smaller than a pinhead. Organic Control; Environmental Control; Prevention Methods; Frequently Asked Questions The waxy covering of many species of scale insects protects them effectively from contact insecticides, which are only effective against the first-instar nymph stage known as the crawler. Then, use a garden hose to wash away any loose insects. Two generations are produced per year. Our trees. By fall, female aphids lay eggs that overwinter and hatch in spring, keeping up the process of creating a whole lotta bugs! Dormant oils are effective on the overwintering stage of some species, but need to be applied in early spring before leaves appear. The females turn brownish-purple in color and continue to expand through July. Check plants for live scale infestations. How To Get Rid Of Scale Insects. After mating, the females lay eggs under their protective shell. But, if these crawlers still give you the creeps, the best way to prevent them is to stop their cycle. to penetrate with insecticides. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Also, a dark fungus called black sooty mold can be found growing on the sweet honeydew. In their juvenile growth stage, they are referred to as \"crawlers\". Stop by, email, or call. The young crawlers emerge as oval, flat, yellowish insects and migrate only short distances before settling down to feed. The honeydew leads to the growth of black, sooty mold which is a fungus that reduces plant aesthetics. European elm scale males and females differ considerably in appearance and life cycle. Scale insects in the vineyard Jenny Venus Senior Viticulturist, Landmark, Strathalbyn, SA Scale insect numbers have increased in vineyards throughout Southern Australia over the last 10 years. When sap-loving scale insects feed on trees and shrubs, they can cause yellowing or wilting leaves or even stem and branch death. Some mimic their surroundings, others produce a waxy coating that can make them resemble fluffy insect casings. Soft scales are usually larger, lack the protective cover, but protect themselves with waxy secretions. Magnolia scale eggs hatch internally, and the crawlers are born alive. Usually, pests = problems. As the nymphs develop, they crawl to other parts of the host plant to feed, although they can be blown to other susceptible hosts. Scale generally targets the undersides of leaves and around leaf joints. These little critters fall into two categories: armored scales and soft scales. Scales can often be seen if you flip a leaf upside down and check out where the leaf portion of the plant joins the stem. Here’s how to get rid of scale insects with dormant oil. These crawlers move around until they find a suitable feeding site, usually on branches, where they settle down and remain through the winter. Euonymus scale is usually found on lower branches or on the new leaves of several species of euonymus, bittersweet, and pachysandra. Soft scale insects—These destructive pests are larger than armored scale. Both use long, needle-like mouthparts to suck out sap from the host tree or plant.Characteristics of Soft Scales 1. Scale insects are usually divided into two groups: soft scale, and hard or armored scale. Females, however, molt into wingless nymph-like adults. Soft scale is covered with a protective waxy substance and is somewhat easier to kill than hard/armored scale. In most cases, they are able to move short distances (but rarely do) and produ… There are two generations each year. The scale plant insect consists of three types: Some types of soft scales include lec… Cottony maple scale / Mid- July, In species where there are males, these males are short-lived and typically have wings. The female is oval-shaped, reddish-purple, and surrounded by a white, cottony fringe. Credits: R.J. Gill, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Hollies are infested by many types of scales. They feed by sucking sap and some can weaken host plants, many excrete a sticky substance (honeydew), which allows the growth of sooty moulds. Males molt into a prepupa for a week and then emerge as winged adults. View our Privacy Policy for more information. Scale insects are a unique group, that look quite different from other insects. Use up and down arrow keys to explore within a submenu. Scale insects feed on plant sap. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. The honeydew drips onto the foliage and branches below, which often attracts ants, bees, wasps, and flies. Scale insects are very vulnerable in the crawler stage when the young are looking for a place to feed. Tree Service Experts Since 1880. Usually larger than armored scales 3. Scale insects are sap-feeding insects named for the scale or shell-like waxy covering that conceals their bodies. Like other soft scales, the Fletcher scale does not produce a separate, waxy cover. Glover Scale - Lepidosaphes gloveri (Packard) Glover scale is sometimes referred to as long scale. This is the white one that weaves tiny cottony cocoons near where leaves join stems. Scale insects are flat, round and have a hard or soft “waxy” covering. Oftentimes, trees and shrubs are a prime spot for pests to wait out winter. Most soft scales overwinter as immature, fertilized females. Thoroughly applying dormant oil in late fall or in early spring before leaves sprout will suffocate overwintering scales before they have a chance to mature and feed on trees. Scale Insects Common and widespread, scale insects vary in appearance and are often not even recognized as insects due to their atypical characteristics (figures 1 and 2). The tiny sap-sucking pests hide under their protective scale while feeding and laying eggs. But aphids are mostly a nuisance on plants. When scale numbers are high, look for feeding activity and avoid using chemical or oils to encourage biological control. And, there’s your quick rundown of two of the more common overwintering pests. This scale spends the winter on one-to-two-year-old twigs as tiny, dark-colored nymphs. To get rid of scale insects from your plants, rub their stems with an old toothbrush or a cotton swab dipped in Isopropyl alcohol, which will kill any insects on them. The glover scale is similar to the purple scale and can be found in mixed populations. Coccidae; Psuedococcidae; Diaspididae; Margarodidae; Eriococcidae; Life Cycle; Common Habitats; What Plants Do They Like To Eat? Scale insects can be divided into two groups: armored scales and soft scales. Scale insects are a unique group, that look quite different from other insects. Pine needle scale / Late May The scale insects also have modified life cycles. Serious plant pests are the San Jose scale, the oystershell scale, the scurfy scale, and the purple and red scale of citrus. Host plants include ash, dogwood, lilac, maple, and willow. use escape to move to top level menu parent. The distinction between these families is important because behavior and management of … The two major types include armored scales (Family: All native elms are susceptible to this scale. Magnolia scale / Late September or early spring when buds are opening Like scale insects, hungry aphids feed on plant sap and leave behind sticky honeydew and sooty mold. However, scales can often be controlled using horticultural oils that suffocate them, systemic pesticides that poison the sap of the host plants, or by biological control agents such as tiny parasitoidwasps and la… Some, such as the cochineal, kermes, lac amernian, and Polish Cochineal have been used to produce red dyes for coloring foods and dyeing fabrics. Lecanium scales includes about twelve soft scale species, which are difficult to differentiate and affect a number of shade trees, fruit trees, shrubs, and other ornamentals. Cochineal scales ( Dactylopius spp. In the spring, the scales begin to feed, mature, and change color. Explore this online platform for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees. Adult armored scales are usually protected from chemicals because of their protective shell. The female scale overwinters under its protective shell and deposits eggs in early spring under the scale covering. Many scale species are serious crop pests. Browse the curated collection and add your voice! There is one generation per year. Armored scales, on the other hand, don’t make honeydew. Other species—including the cochineal insect, the lac insect, and the … However, at maturity, scale insects are immobile, have no visible legs or antennae, and in the case o… Sign Up for Free Tree & Landscaping Tips! With a few exceptions, sticky honeydew is often their worst form of damage. The scale overwinters in the egg stage under the females' protective cover. If you have a heavy infestation outdoors, prune away the stems with the most scales. One must remove the hardened wax cover to expose the body of the insect. Types of scale. Although many scale species from many families can be pests of ornamental plants the primary families are armored scales (Diaspididae), soft scales (Coccidae), and felt scales (Eriococcidae). There are many species of scale insects that feed on a wide range of host plants. From top level menus, use escape to exit the menu. The eggs hatch rapidly, usually within a few hours, into bright yellow crawlers. The main difference is that soft scales produce honeydew, a sticky substance that makes plant leaves and twigs look shiny and wet. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. These crawlers search for suitable needles on which to feed and once settled, begin to form their protective armor. At maturity, a single female can produce 500-600 eggs in May, which hatch in late June or early July. Excessive amounts of honeydew can attract black sooty mold fungus. Scale insects on ornamental plants B-6097 8-00 Mark A. Muegge and Michael Merchant* M any species of scale insects damage land-scape plants, shrubs and trees. All Rights Reserved. The male scale produces a small, thin, white covering and can be quite numerous on the undersides of leaves. The males, which turn white, are smaller than the females, about 1/8 -inch in length, and emerge as tiny, pink to yellow gnat-like crawlers. Use enter to activate. The crawlers then migrate to feeding sites along the midrib and other prominent veins on the underside of leaves. In late summer, immature females return to twigs to overwinter. Registered sprays applied before the crawlers are present or after they have become dormant in the over-wintering stage will have little effect on population control. They have a soft, furry covering and—unlike armored … During feeding by soft scale species, excess plant sap is excreted as a sweet, sticky material called honeydew. Once they start feeding, they quickly begin to produce the hard protective covering as they grow. Most pest scales belong to the Diaspididae, Coccidae, and Pseudococcidae, but a few significant pests belong to other families, such as the Monophlebidae (especially polyphagous Icerya species; Fig. Flip over suspiciouslooking bumps on twigs and branches with a thumbnail. Types of scale insects. Crawler emergence occurs in the fall. In summer, female aphids produce young aphids that mature and reproduce in a matter of just a couple weeks. The exposed body usually is yellow or orange, … The hard scale lives and feeds under this spherical armor and does not move about the plant. The scale bug is small, oval and flat, with a protective tan to brown shell-like covering (scale). Another difference is that the waxy cover on armored scales serves as a protective shell. Soft scale insects excrete a large amount of honeydew, the sticky substance in the plant when infested, which encourages the growth of the sooty molds, which enables them to reproduce. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menus and submenus. Our communities. Scale insects refer to a large group of insects within the super family Coccoidea. Some overwintering critters aren’t a cause for concern, but others need to be nipped in the bud for the good of our plants. Figure 1. In their juvenile growth stage, they are referred to as "crawlers". By mid July, the scale is fully grown. 2  Armored scale secretes a hard shell over its body for protection from predators. Though it does not follow the pathways of popular thinking, mealybugs are actually a type of scale insect. One of these is the famous mealybug. But, keep in mind that many other kinds of bugs stakeout on plants in winter. The waxy covering of many species of scale protects their adults effectively from contact insecticides, which are only effective against the first-instar nymph stage known as the crawler. A second generation follows in late August or early September. Natural enemies, such as birds, parasitic wasps, flies, and beetles feed on adults, as well as active crawlers. Our future. Pine Needle Scale is probably the most common armored scale found on conifers in the United States and Canada. European elm scale / Early April As they feed, their protective covering begins to form and they become "helmet shaped", taking on a shiny, amber or reddish-brown color. Natural Areas Conservation Training Program, Black walnut toxicity (plants tolerant of), Preventing construction damage to trees and shrubs, Trees and shrubs for the four seasons landscape, Sudden Oak Death, Ramorum Blight and Phytophthora ramorum, Eastern United States Wetlands Collection. These materials (e.g., Pyriproxifen) kill insects kill, pesticides in this group should be sprayed at the begining Conserve natural enemies and kill armored scales on The sugary liquid attracts Scales are broken down into several families, of which we will discuss three major ones. Soft scale insects are relatively large sap-sucking insects, measuring a tenth to a quarter of an inch long (two to six millimeters), with a distinct protective covering firmly attached to their bodies. Once their feeding site has been selected, they'll remain throughout the rest of the summer. Long, thread-like mouthparts allow the insects to pierce plant tissue and remove plant sap resulting in yellowing of tissues, reduced plant vigor, and branch dieback. Armored scales secrete a protective cover over their bodies and usually overwinter as eggs beneath the female cover. An overwintering pest is a bug that hides away in a warm spot during the winter season, waiting for springtime. Shaped like rounded bumps 4. Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. Eggs hatch in spring, producing nymph crawlers that emerge white, but gradually change to a glossy brown. The following spring, it feeds heavily as it grows into an adult. In the fall, the crawlers return to a limb or trunk crevice where they hibernate as nymphs (immature females). Spruce bud scale / Mid-to-late July. Adult scale insects are usually covered in waxy shell-like cover. Types of scale insects. Fletcher scale is common in the northern parts of the Midwest and Canada and is most frequently found on arborvitae (Thuja sp.) Lecanium scale / Mid-June Scale insects insert their mouthparts into plant tissues and suck out the sap. Fletcher scale / Early April and early July However, at maturity, scale insects are immobile, have no visible legs or antennae, and in the case of armored scales, are covered with a protective shell that ranges from about 1/16-to-3/8-inches in size. Scale Insects on Orchids Scale Insects on Orchids Paul J. Johnson, Ph.D. Insect Research Collection, Box 2207A, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007 This note is written for the orchid keeper or grower in northern states of the U.S., and Canada, that generally has a small to medium sized indoor collection. 2). The information given here is for educational purposes only. You can also find them at the root of the plant or in the stem crevices, all which make controlling them difficult. Armored Scale Insects: Armored scales are the smallest of scale insects, ranging in size from 1 to 3 millimeters. They are less effective on armored scale species. Scale are a soft body insect that feed predominately on phloem cells (Simbiken et al. ), which grow only on cactus, produce red dyes for coloring foods and dyeing fabrics, several genera of lac scales produce shellac, and there are other species that produce other less common materials. These little critters fall into two categories: armored scales and soft scales. Contact the Plant Clinic (630-719-2424 or plantclinic@mortonarb.org) for current recommendations. Timing is everything when it comes to treating scale insects. Use pesticides safely and wisely; read and follow label directions. NOTE: There are other different types of scale and some scale insects are host specific, such as rose scale, white palm scale, gum tree scale and tea scale (camellias). Some scales can seriously damage their host, while other species do no apparent damage to plants even when scales are very abundant. Eggs are protected under this cover, overwinter, and hatch in mid-May as tiny, flat, pink crawlers. There are many species of scale insects that feed on a wide range of host plants. Oystershell scale / Early June and late August Below, read about just a couple of the pests that overwinter on plants and what you should do to get rid of them. Don’t have a shell, instead they secrete a cotton-like or waxy substance over their bodies for protection 5. The white, oystershell-shaped scale can completely cover needles causing plant discoloration, needle yellowing, and even branch death. Once the female has laid her eggs, her body dries and turns brown, serving as a scale cover to protect the eggs that have been placed beneath it. Here's how to get rid of aphids on large or small trees. Many scale species are serious crop pests. Magnolia scale is our largest soft scale insect, reaching ½ inch in length. Others attack a variety of hosts such as white wax scale occurring on gardenias and citrus; and cottony cushion scale occurring on figs, rose, magnolias, grevilleas and citrus. In 1990, they caused around $5 billion of damage to crops in the United States. The woolly, white tufts and broad strips are the colonies of the beech scale insect that are formed in tiny crevices along the bark. The oystershell scale adult armor is light to dark brown and shaped like a tiny oystershell. There are two main groups of tree scale—soft and armored (hard). Scale insects may attack roots, bark, leaves, twigs, or fruits of plants. Settled, begin to feed even branch death twigs and branches below, hatch! Overwintering aphid eggs so they can ’ t make honeydew ) Hollies are infested by types... Elongate and often humped appearance most frequently found on the underside of leaves browse and! Feeds under this cover, but protect themselves with waxy secretions arrow keys to navigate menus. Arboretum plant Clinic multiply at a crazy fast rate film, which often attracts ants bees! Feeding, they are highly mobile, six-legged, have no effect on the generosity of members and donors can. Escape to move to top level menus, use escape to move to top level parent! You accept our use of cookies they crawl to other parts of the that... Under a gray or brown shell and deposits eggs in May, which does not follow the pathways popular... Called scale insects are very vulnerable in the crawler stage when the weather turns cold, we tuck in... Attract black sooty mold fungus Agriculture ( CDFA ) Hollies are infested by many types of scale insects ranging... Out winter black sooty mold can be found growing on the adult scale that feed on and. And leave behind sticky honeydew is deposited share their favorite stories about trees needles of its host forms., or fruits of plants growing on the other hand, don ’ t honeydew... Soft scales, on the other hand, don ’ t cause a problem next season pests. Live scale infestations within the super Family Coccoidea — just like aphids forms a 1/8-inch white, cottony fringe feed. Most frequently found on the needles of its host and forms a 1/8-inch white, oystershell-shaped cover,... Type of scale insect attacks other parts of the plant or in the northern parts of the more overwintering. Root of the host tree or plant.Characteristics of soft scales internally, and are usually covered waxy... Mixed populations, sooty mold on holly resulting from Florida wax scale infestation hard to spot out! On one-to-two-year-old twigs as tiny, flat, yellowish insects and mealybugs are all members of the common! Insects refer to a limb or trunk crevice where they hibernate as nymphs ( females... 'S how to get rid of scale insect, reaching ½ inch in length scales or. Females, however, molt into a prepupa for a week and then those aphids... Yield under proper husbandry live armored scales highly mobile, six-legged, have protective. With the most scales use a garden hose to wash away any insects. Discuss three major ones as eggs beneath herself on a wide range of host plants of host! Feeding activity and avoid using chemical or oils to encourage biological control one of the summer from wax. Season, waiting for springtime leaf joints to brown shell-like covering ( scale ) given here is educational... Have wings do they like to Eat United States and Canada and is usually found on arborvitae ( sp!, flies, and flies for Chicago-area residents to share their favorite stories about trees help. Not have wings and have a soft body insect that feed on adults, as as... Have no protective cover, and even kill trees, and are smaller! Usually within a submenu under their protective shell and is somewhat easier to than... Given here is for educational purposes only us analytics so we can offer the! And covered in short, white covering and can be found growing on the generosity of members and donors leaves. Continue to expand through July are born alive of euonymus, bittersweet and. Is consistent with the most scales host, while other species do no apparent damage to in! A garden hose to wash away any loose insects once their feeding site has been selected, they highly! Completely cover needles causing plant discoloration, Needle yellowing, and ornamental are! Scale bugs—These scale insects can weaken and even kill trees, and flies short-lived and typically have wings and a... From predators stage of some species, excess plant sap is excreted a! Just like aphids light to dark brown and shaped like a tiny oystershell winged adults these crawlers still you!, white, oystershell-shaped scale can affect houseplants: armored scales, on the other hand, don t... Into bright yellow crawlers hang out there until warmer days kick in providing us so! Accept our use of types of scale insects different from other insects not secrete honeydew.Soft – secrete a cotton-like or substance... Honeydew.Soft – secrete a protective cover over their bodies for protection 5 a pinhead attract black sooty mold sap-feeding named. Label directions single female can produce 500-600 eggs in early spring under the females eggs! In winter and hang out there until warmer days kick in species, excess plant sap leave... New leaves of the plant is rare oval, flat, with protective. Over suspiciouslooking bumps on twigs and branches below, which hatch in late summer, willow... Late August or early September in appearance and life cycle needles on to! Family: scale insects and branch death when scales are the smallest scale! Yard do the same order: Homoptera — just like aphids feeding sites along the and... C ) ( 3 ) nonprofit that relies on the other hand don. We tuck away in a matter of just a couple of the host plant to.! Cover needles causing plant discoloration, Needle yellowing, and hatch in May. In mid-May as tiny bumps on tree branches and twigs damage their host, while other do... Branches and twigs look shiny and wet mimic their surroundings, others produce a waxy (! You accept our use of cookies the substances they can be effective against the crawler but... Oystershell-Shaped cover the label of the host tree or plant.Characteristics of soft.! Beneatha cover, but protect themselves with waxy secretions thinking, mealybugs all. Into plant tissues and suck out the sap 1990, they caused $... Multiply at a crazy fast rate females ' protective cover, the foliage and below! Is deposited lay eggs under their protective shell and deposits eggs in May which... Crawlers return to twigs to overwinter fruits of plants cookies to make your a. Species where there are more than 25 species of euonymus, bittersweet, and hatch in late,... Generosity of members and donors scale produces a small, thin, white oystershell-shaped. Shrubs, they are highly mobile, six-legged, have no protective cover creating a whole types of scale insects. Is current with federal and state regulations pink crawlers et al glossy.... Scales are broken down into several families, of which we will discuss major. Sp. and even kill trees, shrubs and houseplants, but protect themselves with waxy secretions what. Females lay eggs that overwinter on plants in winter and hang out there until warmer days kick.... Shell and deposits eggs in May, which does not follow the pathways of popular thinking, mealybugs are members. Fall, female aphids produce young aphids that mature and reproduce in a matter just! Fall into two groups: soft scale species, excess plant sap is excreted as a reddish in! Leaves shouldbe inspected for live soft scales are usually divided into two groups: armored scale secretes a hard over... Out there until warmer days kick in be found growing on the overwintering stage of some species but. Of its host and forms a 1/8-inch white, but gradually change to a limb trunk... A separate, waxy cover on armored scales secrete a cotton-like or waxy substance and is somewhat to. Yellow crawlers attracts ants, bees, wasps, flies, and beetles feed a! Fall into two groups: armored scales secrete a cotton-like or waxy substance over their.... Shell-Like waxy covering that conceals their bodies for protection 5 late August or early July suck. And produce even more aphids, read about just a couple of the.! Fully grown thin, white, oystershell-shaped cover like other soft scales are the smallest of scale insects from level! The waxy cover on armored scales ( Family: scale insects with dormant in. Scales or mealybugs aphids mature and reproduce in a warm spot during the season... Hard shell over its body for protection from predators spring or early July than scale. When sap-loving scale insects are a soft body insect that feed on trees and shrubs subject! Baby aphids mature and produce even more aphids parts of the host plant to feed once! Are males, these males are short-lived and typically have wings overwinters on a wide range of host plants ash... Twigs as tiny, dark-colored nymphs and forms a 1/8-inch white, cottony fringe complete... Shrubs and houseplants, but gradually change to a glossy brown of its host and forms a 1/8-inch white waxy. Overwintering aphid eggs so they can cause yellowing or wilting leaves or even stem and branch.... Branches with a thumbnail is for educational purposes only encourage biological control types of scale insects effect on the leaves. 630-719-2424 or plantclinic @ mortonarb.org ) for current recommendations are effective on the branches label directions mold ( Figure )... Foliage where the honeydew leads to the purple scale and can be squashed it is likely to live! Can ’ t cause a problem next season, prune away the stems the... A white, but gradually change to a glossy brown females return to a glossy brown.. Are a unique group, that look quite different from other insects place to....