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Scale Insects There are two general groups of scales — the armored scale and the soft scale. ARMORED SCALES have a hard, protective covering of wax under which the insect lives and feeds. It is because of this covering that armored scales are usually difficult to control. Pine needle scale and euonymus scale are examples of this type of scale. SOFT SCALES have a soft, waxy covering that is directly connected to the insect's body. They secrete a sticky substance called honeydew as they suck the sap out of the tree. People often complain that their tree is "dripping." It's actually the scale that is making the mess all over the cars and picnic tables! The sticky surfaces often become blackened by the development of black sooty mold. Cottony maple scale and pine tortoise scale are soft scales. SYMPTOMS: Leaves are undersized and discolored. If an infestation is severe, A typical scale insect. branches could die causing the plant's canopy to thin and become severely weakened. These insects can be found on bark, twigs and leaves or needles of plants. The specific location depends on the particular scale species and its behavior (or "preference"). Scale insects can be one of the worst pests of trees and shrubs. CA USE: Scales are sucking insects. Their mouthparts are needle-like tubes (stylets) and are almost as long as, or longer than, their 1/16" to 1/8" long bodies. The stylets penetrate wood or leaves to extract plant juices. The stage that hatches from the egg is called a crawler. This is the dispersal stage and it leaves the protection of the dead female's scale cover in search of a feeding site. This stage and the second instar nymph are most vulnerable to an insecticidal or oil treatment. Because the occurrence of these stages varies, one needs to know the life cycle of the scale. The following plants are commonly infested by different scale species: arborvitae, lilac, ash, maple, cherry, oaks, pine (Austrian & mugo), Euonymus spp., hemlock, juniper and yew. SOLUTION: Most scales are difficult to control. A winter application of horticultural oil plus one or two treatments during the growing season should be targeted for the vulnerable stages. Control may take several years if the scale population is very large. Fertilization, mulching, and watering will help increase your plant's resistance to scale attack and also help it to recover if scales are already present.