Pine needle scale

You will see small white elongate scales about one-tenth inch long covering needles of pine, spruce, fir, and other conifers. Heavily infested trees appear flocked with white. Infested needles turn yellow then brown and drop. Twigs and branches die back progressively. The pest overwinters as eggs beneath scale covers, with reddish crawlers migrating in May and June.

Dormant oils applied before bud break target overwintering eggs effectively. Monitor for crawler emergence in late spring and apply contact sprays if heavy infestation is confirmed. Scrub scales manually from valuable ornamental specimens. Predators including mites and parasitoid wasps control many populations naturally. Stress reduction through proper care enhances recovery.