Cottony camellia scale
Pulvinaria floccifera
31 host plants
Last updated
This profile contains verified pest data from extension databases. Regional field notes and expert review are in progress.
Cottony camellia scale appears as white, cottony egg sacs on branches and twigs of camellia, euonymus, and barberry, creating a distinctive fuzzy appearance especially noticeable in spring. You will see scale insects beneath the cotton-like coverings where they have fed on plant sap. Heavy infestations cause yellowing of foliage, leaf drop, and twig dieback. Damage becomes most visible as scales multiply through late spring and into summer.
Spray insecticidal soap when young crawlers settle on leaves in early summer; timing is critical for good coverage and effectiveness. Conserve lady beetles and parasitoid wasps that naturally control scale populations by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides. Prune out infested twigs if infestation is light. Horticultural oil applied in dormancy can reduce overwintering populations. Heavily infested plants benefit from improved growing conditions; irrigate during drought and ensure adequate nutrition to restore plant vigor.
Quick Reference
Cottony camellia scale Emergence (est.) typically begins around 2466 GDD₃₂. As of April 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 GDD₃₂, approximately 873 units before the expected threshold.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 873 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 912 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 929 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 962 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 983 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 994 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | Pre-season | Emergence (est.) | 1,032 |
Source: UMD IPMnet, Pest GDD Catalog, Added 2026-04-03 About GDD₃₂ →
Cultural Controls
- Remove any egg masses found on leaves.
- Hand-pick scales when practical to control minor infections.
- Where practical, prune out and destroy heavily infested leaves and branches.
- Encourage natural predators of scales such as ladybird beetles and their larvae, and parasitic wasps.
- Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill these insects