Homoptera (Heteroptera): Diaspididae

Identification
• Oystershell scale is ¹/₈" long, brown or gray, curved, and wider at one end. Crawlers (immatures) are gray. (a)
• Pine needle scale is ¹/₈" long, white, and wider at one end. Its crawlers are red. (b)
• Euonymous scale males are ¹/₈" long, white, and slender. The females appear similar to oystershell scale. Its crawlers are yellow. (c)

Damage
• These scales suck sap out of the leaves and stems and can cause leaf drop, branch loss, and plant death.
• Oystershell scale attacks ash, lilac, privet, apple, dogwood, maple, birch, and other trees and shrubs.
• Euonymous scale attacks various euonymous species.
• Pine needle scale attacks pine, spruce, and hemlock.

Management
• Dormant oil sprays are effective.
• Crawlers, newly hatched nymphs, can be controlled with insecticidal soap, summer oil, and various other insecticides, but timing is critical.