
Scale insects are among the most injurious and most common insect pests in our landscape. Join Kirsten Conrad, Extension Agent for Arlington County and City of Alexandria, to learn about these sap sucking insects, their particular host plants, their life cycles, and optimal timing and methods for controlling them. Find out how you can work with and encourage natural predators to keep your landscape plants healthy and free of these pests.
Zoom session, recorded March 3, 2023
Additional Resources
- 2023 Pest Management Guide for Home Grounds and Animals – Virginia Cooperative Extension
The Virginia Pest Management Guide (PMG) lists options for management of major pests: diseases, insects, nematodes, and weeds. This guides is produced by Virginia Cooperative Extension and is revised annually. PMG recommendations are based on research conducted by the Research and Extension Division of Virginia Tech, in cooperation with other land-grant universities, the USDA, and the pest management industry.
https://mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IPM-ENTO-523.pdf - Day, Eric. Scale Insects. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/75449/2808-1012.pdf - University of Maryland Pest Predictive Calendar
The Pest Predictive Calendar is a monitoring tool to assist in predicting when susceptible life stage(s) (stage you want to target for control measures) of pest insects are active by using plant phenological indicators (PPI) and growing degree days (GDD). This tool will lead to improved timing of management tactics and more effective pest management.
https://extension.umd.edu/programs/agriculture-food-systems/program-areas/ornamental-horticulture/ipmnet/pest-predictive-calendar
Types of Scale Insects
Brown Scale and Fern Scale
- Talabac, Miri, compiler. 2022. Scale Insects on Indoor Plants., Home and Garden Information Center. University of Maryland.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/scale-insects-indoor-plants
Obscure Scale

Bugwood.org).
- Dellinger, Theresa A. et al. 2022. Obscure Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/3104/3104-1583/ENTO-499.pdf
Cottony Camellia Scale
- Day, Eric. Revised, 2021. Cottony Camellia Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/cottony-camellia-scale
Rose Scale

Insects Photographs, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org)
- Dellinger, Theresa A. et al. 2022. Rose Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/3104/3104-1565/ENTO-501.pdf
Cottony Maple Scale

- Day, Eric. Revised, 2020. Cottony Maple Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2808/2808-1011/ENTO-411.pdf
Terrapin Scale & European Fruit Lecanium Scale
- Hogmire, H. W. 1995. Mid-Atlantic orchard monitoring guide. Ithaca, NY: Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Cooperative Extension.
https://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/SoftScale.html
Crapemyrtle Bark Scale

- Dellinger, Theresa A. et al. 2022. Crapemyrtle Bark Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-465/ENTO-465%20(1).pdf
Tea Scale
(not common but coming to a Camellia near you!)

- Miller, Christian F. 2001. Tea scale, Fiorinia theae Green. Featured Creatures. University of Florida.
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/scales/tea_scale.htm
Euonymus Scale

- Dellinger, Theresa A. et al. 2022. Euonymus Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/444/444-277/ENTO-498.pdf
Wax Scale

- Day, Eric. Revised, 2020. Wax Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/444/444-622/ENTO-376.pdf
Gloomy Scale

Photo: Adam Dale, North Carolina State University
- Day, Eric. 2019. Gloomy Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ENTO-44/ENTO-44NP(ENTO-318NP).pdf
White Peach Scale (Not yet common)

- Hogmire, H. W. 1995. Mid-Atlantic orchard monitoring guide. Ithaca, NY: Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Cooperative Extension.
https://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/WPS.html
Juniper and Cryptomeria Scale
- Dellinger, Theresa A. et al. 2022. Juniper and Cryptomeria Scales in Residential Landscapes . Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ento-533/ento-533.html
White Prunicola Scale
- Talabac, Miri, adapter. 2022. White Prunicola Scale. Home and Garden Information Center. University of Maryland.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/white-prunicola-scale
Magnolia Soft Scale

Photo: Brian Kunkel, University of Delaware
- Day, Eric. Revised, 2020. Magnolia Soft Scale. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech University.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/444/444-623/ENTO-360.pdf