Pine: Pine needle scale
categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects
last review date: 2025-07-31 02:49
Photo by: K. Grey
Biology
Pine needle scales are elongate, pure white scales which feed on the needles. Heavily infested trees may appear “flocked”.
Infested needles turn yellow, then brown. Twigs and branches may be killed. Repeated infestations may eventually kill trees.
Pine needle scales are often found with the black pineleaf scale, which is gray to black instead of white. Pine needle scale is a serious pest of ornamental pines and may also infest spruces and Douglas fir.
Management Options
See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.
Non-chemical Management
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
- Provide proper culture for trees. Healthy plants tolerate insect feeding more easily.
- Hand-wipe to control minor infestations on small trees.
- Prune and destroy heavily infested branches, when possible.
- Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill ladybird beetles, parasitic wasps, and other natural controls.
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.
- The following must be applied to the crawler stage in early spring to get good control.
- Acephate and cyfluthrin are particularly dangerous to honeybees.
- Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall.
- Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.
Approved Pesticides
Examples of pesticides that are legal for home use in Washington State are listed below.
The list may not include all products registered for this use.
Additional Image
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.