Euonymus scale

Euonymus scale appears as tiny, flat bumps on the undersides of euonymus leaves and stems, clustering heavily to create a whitish-gray crust. You will see yellow, dying foliage as scales suck sap; affected branches may eventually die. Both male and female scales are present; females are larger and brown, males are white and narrow. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback and severe plant decline.

Spray horticultural oil during dormancy to smother overwintering females and reduce spring populations significantly. Encourage natural enemies, particularly parasitoid wasps and lady beetles, by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides. In summer, target crawler emergence with insecticidal soap applied to leaf undersides when you see first movement. Prune out heavily infested branches. Improve plant vigor through proper watering and pruning; stressed plants are more susceptible to severe damage.