PINE NEEDLE SCALE Homoptera: Diaspididae, Phenaeaspis pinifoliae
ID
2907-1400
Pine Needle Scale on pine branch
PLANTS ATTACKED: Scotch, mugho, Austrian Pine; also present but seldom damaging on Eastern White Pine, Norway Spruce, and some other conifers.
DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGE: Damage is not apparent until large populations have been present for more than 1 or 2 seasons. trees are stunted, grow slowly, have short needles and shoots. Occasionally the feeding of scales produces chlorotic, yellowish flecks no the needles, but normally this is not apparent.
Heavily infested plants are seriously weakened and may be in a state of decline.
IDENTIFICATION: Scale covers are about 1/8" long, white, elongate, narrow in front and broad in back. Eggs under the scale covers are purplish in color.
Crawlers and settled nymphs are reddish brown. Females are reddish in color beneath the white scale covers.
LIFE HISTORY: The hatching period is relatively short (7-10 days) in mid May and again in mid to late July. The first generation crawlers settle on old needles, since new growth is not fully developed until later. Second generation crawlers settle primarily on the current year's growth. Females produce 5-30 reddish purple eggs. Although the number of eggs laid is relatively small, two generations a year permits rapid buildup of infestations. In areas where infestations are large, lady beetle (especially the twice-stabbed lady beetle) is an effective predator.
CONTROL: Sprays are effective if applied after most eggs have hatched. Experience has shown that treatments for the summer generation may be more effective than the first. Control may be applied at either time.
REMARKS: Pine needle scale can be a serious pest of Christmas trees as well as ornamental trees and shrubs. Crawlers are blown by the wind and can be carried on birds.
Rights
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Publisher
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Rick D. Rudd, Interim Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Wondi Mersie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
Date
August 5, 2009