PestMedium Severity

Pine Needle Scale

Chionaspis pinifoliae

A key armored scale insect pest of pines in landscapes, nurseries, and Christmas tree plantations. Females develop white waxy covers with yellow tips while feeding on needle fluids, causing yellowing and potential dieback of infested branches.

Peak Season: Two generations per year. First generation crawlers appear mid-to-late May, mature by early July. Second generation eggs laid mid-July, crawlers mature in September. Overwinters as mated females.
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Pine needle scale insects showing characteristic white scale coverings on pine needles

Identification & Symptoms

What to Look For

White waxy covers on needles (3mm long with yellow tips on females)
Needles turning yellowish-brown from feeding damage
Sparse foliage and reduced plant health
Death of heavily infested twigs and branches
White-washed appearance of severely infested trees
Crimson red eggs visible under female covers in spring
Reddish crawler stage moving on needles

Potential Damage

Removal of plant fluids through piercing-sucking mouthparts
Needle yellowing and browning from feeding damage
Reduced plant vigor and health
Twig and branch dieback in severe infestations
Aesthetic damage with white-washed appearance
Economic losses in nurseries and Christmas tree operations

Lifecycle

Overwinters as females and eggs beneath waxy covers. Up to 40 eggs per scale hatch in mid-to-late May into crawlers that move for a few days before settling to feed. Crawlers secrete waxy covering and mature by early July. Males emerge, mate, and die. Second generation eggs laid in mid-July, maturing in September.

Professional Treatment Approach

1

Apply systemic insecticides like Imisol during crawler stages in late May

2

Second treatment in mid-July for second generation crawlers

3

Horticultural oil applications to smother scales

4

Remove heavily infested branches when practical

5

Monitor regularly for early detection

6

Professional treatment recommended for valuable specimen trees

Recommended Mauget Products

Imisol

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against pine needle scale.

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Imicide

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against pine needle scale.

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