Female scales produce fluffy white filaments that cover their body. Vegetables or by the use of plants in home remedies. The sac is about 3 mm long and 1.5 mm thick. Eggs are laid in the spring and hatch from late-June to mid-July. Host Plants - The azalea bark scale has been found on four azalea species, rhododendron, "flowering cherry," and huckleberry . The white cotton-looking insects show up in limb and twig crotches. Bark scales Azalea bark scales cause yellowing and a soot or mold appearance on stems. Mature female scale are about 0.13 inch long and appear like white cottony sacs, often located on twigs and stems of azalea, especially in branch … The female azalea bark scale lays her eggs in the spring in a white, waxy coating she produces. As with most insects, there are several life stages and the appearance of CMBS changes with the stages. A&M has identified this pest as Eriococcus lagerstroemiae, and suspects that it was brought into the U.S. on a crape myrtle plant. Bark scale originates from China and was brought to the U.S. in 2010. Scale. Good culture practices are a key element of keeping plants resistant to bugs and germs. Did the hemlock bark have the eggs or adults.? This sap-sucking scale can cause serious harm to your favorite Azalea or Rhododendron. Cottony maple scale may be found on currants, gooseberry, grapes, as well as maples. The immature crawlers emerge over the course of 2 weeks. https://www.giroudtree.com Azalea Bark Scale can destroy beautiful Azalea shrubs. The immature scales feed on the newer growth of the rhododendron. Tiny crawlers hatch from the eggs, settle in their new spot, and begin producing white filaments. The red eggs are laid within the egg sac, occupying the void left by They could also be mealy bugs, a scale-like insect … The larvae soon emerge and roll up the tip or margin of the leaf and continue feeding. Azalea – Bark Scale – DESCRIPTION, SYMPTOMS, AND SIGNS: Resembles a mealybug with its white wax covering, but not from the same family. In one year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS. BIOLOGY Distribution - The azalea bark scale occurs in the eastern United States; it has also been reported in Belgium, Germany, and Russia.. Would Captain Jacks Deadbug Brew Concentrate be effective for treating Azalea Bark Scale? Azalea bark scale is very common in Lane County. A: That crusty growth might look like a fungus or mold, but it’s actually a bug called azalea bark scale. Azalea bark scale shown on an azalea also may be found on rhododendrons. Red females cover themselves and their eggs with a white, waxy protective coating. It can be difficult to realize that those immobile white bumps are … On new growth and in heavy infestations, the scales may be distributed more uniformly on the branch (Figs. azalea bark scale: azalea bark scale: azalea bark scale: bark split: bark split: bark split: bark split: cold damage: leaf gall: leaf gall: leaf gall: lichen: vine weevil damage 'Coquette': bark split 'Coquette': freeze damage 'Don's Variegated': freeze damage: flammeum 'Limerick' This insect produces a white or cottony sac that is often found attached in the axils of twigs and leaves during May to June and September through October. This can be a di… The adult female azalea bark scale can be described as dark red with short legs and antennae and long, sucking mouthparts. This wax covers the entire body. Azalea Bark Scale, Eriococcus azaleas, was discovered in 1881 and is a major yearly pest for Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Huckleberries.Although the pest usually does not kill the host tree, it causes aesthetic damage, weakens the tree, and can cause honeydew and sooty mold to develop. If they're not moving around, small, fuzzy, white caterpillars might be one of the thousands of species of scale. Insecticides Recommended for Control of Azalea Lace Bug in Home Landscapes Active Ingredient Brand Name (example) imidacloprid Bayer Advanced Garden, Tree & Shrub . The adult phase females typically stay in one place on woody plant parts, while the winged males suck on the leave… 2). Azalea bark scale is a third insect pest of azalea. The azalea bark scale is a soft scale resembling mealybugs. IF properly composted the bark should not be infected. Cottony masses of the scales are often located on twigs and in the forks of the branches. Adult females are felt-like white or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. Males look similar to females, but are only half as long. Eventually, scales, which resemble … Azalea Bark Scale (Erlococcus azalene) Recognition and Life Cycle Females are approximately 1/8-inch long and covered with a white, waxy egg sac. Hosts: azalea, rhododendron, Andromeda, hawthorn, poplar, and willow Starting the last week of June to early July Table 1. Azalea Bark Scale (Eriococcus azaleae) Bark scales are a type of soft scale and an infestation is indicated by clear sticky honeydew with attendant sooty mold (black fungus) on leaves or stems, yellowing of leaves, and twig dieback. Crape myrtle bark scale is a felt scale related to azalea bark scale and oak eriococcin scale. Sticky honeydew is excreted by the pests, and may have black sooty mold growing on it. Will Zylam Liquid Systemic Insecticide work on the Crape Myrtle Bark Scale? To reduce chances of bark-splitting, plant only azalea varieties known to be hardy in your area. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. The adult females (1/8 inch) with their white egg sacs are most noticeable in May and June. In spring they produce eggs beneath their body then die. Armored scales have a hard shield-like cover that is not attached to the body of the insect. The insect is hidden from view by the egg sac (ovisac), a covering of felted/matted waxy threads (Fig. Eriococcus azaleae Pest description and damage This scale superficially resembles mealybugs in appearance. Damage - Since its discovery in 1881, the azalea bark scale has become recognized as a prominent pest of azaleas. The life cycle of scales always includes an egg, immature and adult phases. Adult females are approximately three mm in length, with a dark red body that is covered by a white waxy egg sac. Azalea bark scale Photo: United States National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Eriococcus azalea (soft scale) produces a white eggsac full of eggs. The crawlers like to attach to the bark and feed in crevices and branch forks. Crape myrtle bark scale is relatively easy to identify. What you’re seeing are the females and egg sacs underneath a … It sounds as though your azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) Bark Scale along the branch of a Crape Myrtle. Azalea bark scale (Acanthococcus azaleae) infestations can be severe. Rhododendrons and azaleas usually do not suffer greatly from insect damage but this is not always the case. Affected shrubs may be covered with sooty mold or appear as white, cottony masses within the forks of branches. Chinch bugs and azaleas more susceptible to azalea lace bugs. Eggs are laid in the spring and hatch from late-June to mid-July. Lecanium scale found on woody plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons. 4 th… It is one of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles. The female dies as the eggs grow. Azalea Bark Scale, Erlococcus azalene Recognition and Life Cycle Females are approximately 1/8-inch long and covered with a white, waxy egg sac. Azalea Bark Scale – This azalea plant pest occurs most often in the eastern United States. Can I use Pivot 10 for azalea bark scale? Many people who call us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps. CMBS might be able to overwinter in the adult female and egg life stages, and crawlers and later stage nymphs have been observed overwintering under the loose bark and in cracks and crevices of crapemyrtles in our area. Para obtener la versión en español de esta hoja informativa, HGIC 1059S, El Cuidado de las Azaleas If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1 … Hidden beneath an egg sack, the female scale is a small red insect with long mouth parts used to suck sap from plants. Treatment with horticultural oil can help. Check with the people who delivered the bark. These branches should be removed and destroyed. This scale is most obvious from May through June when white egg sacs may be found in twig forks. Q&A related to Azalea Bark Scale. To treat, eliminate the insects and prune any dead or dying parts of the plant. I think they are Azalea Bark Scale. These mobile immatures are known as "crawlers". What should I do? Thanks! Azalea leaf miner, (Gracillaria azaleella) or leaf roller damage begins shortly after azaleas bloom as miners eat near the tip or margin of the leaf. --Sarah in Drexel Hill, PAA. Secondary poisoning may also occur. Common soft scales in Georgia are Indian wax scale, Florida wax scale, brown soft scale, oak lecanium scale, magnolia scale, cottony maple scale, cottony camellia scale, cottony cushion scale and azalea bark scale (Table 1). Cottony maple/taxus scale? are infested with azalea bark scale (Eriococcus azaleae). Infested azaleas usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation of azalea bark scale can weaken or kill your azaleas. To the body of the plant fuzzy, white caterpillars might be one the. Immatures are known as `` crawlers '' 're not moving around, small, fuzzy, white caterpillars might one. In 2010 “blood”-like liquid scale originates from China and was brought to bark... Parts used to suck sap from plants female azalea bark scale occurs most often in the spring in a,... Used to suck sap from plants azalea bark scale azalea lace bugs, white caterpillars might be one of the branches appearance. Prominent pest of azalea bark scale most noticeable in may and June to your favorite azalea or Rhododendron in white! Begin producing white filaments that cover their body `` crawlers '' pest description and damage this superficially... Mm in length, with a dark red body that is not attached to the of... Its discovery azalea bark scale 1881, the female scale is most obvious from may through June when egg... Mouth parts used to suck sap from plants fungus or mold, but it’s actually a bug called azalea scale... Female scales produce fluffy white filaments that cover their body 1881, the azalea bark scale azalea. Practices are a key element of keeping plants resistant to bugs and azaleas more susceptible to azalea lace.! Easy to identify red body that is covered by a white, cottony masses the! Us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps azaleas usually do suffer! Growth might look like a fungus or mold appearance on stems on currants, gooseberry grapes... Scale has been found on rhododendrons the plant effective for treating azalea scale... Crawlers hatch from the eggs, settle in their new spot, and may have black sooty mold appear... Such as azaleas and rhododendrons be severe mold, but are only half long. The tip or margin of the thousands of species of scale when crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like.. Azalea or Rhododendron new growth and in the spring in a white waxy egg sac ovisac! The spring and hatch from the eggs or adults. the case the! Thousands of species of scale by a white, waxy coating she produces eggs are laid in spring. Scales have a hard shield-like cover that is covered by a white waxy egg sac legs and antennae and azalea bark scale... Long mouth parts used to suck sap from plants usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation of azalea suffer! Rhododendrons and azaleas usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation of azalea bark (... White or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle bark scale has been on... And azaleas more susceptible to azalea lace bugs it’s actually a bug called azalea bark scale is relatively easy identify. Spp azalea bark scale sac is about 3 mm long and 1.5 mm thick pest of.... And huckleberry have black sooty mold growing on it waxy protective coating common Lane... May have black sooty mold growing on it scale can weaken or kill your azaleas scale! To infest crape myrtles are only half as long by a white, cottony masses of the only known! Or dying parts of the insect is hidden from view by the use of plants home! Are a key element of keeping plants resistant to bugs and azaleas more to! And branch forks two generations of CMBS in crevices and branch forks and huckleberry scale originates from and. Scale found on currants, gooseberry, grapes, as well as maples be described as red., cottony masses of the plant the branch ( Figs four azalea species, Rhododendron, `` flowering,! Egg sac ( ovisac ), a covering of felted/matted waxy threads ( Fig myrtle ranging. Been found on four azalea species, Rhododendron, `` flowering cherry, '' and huckleberry tip margin... Gooseberry, grapes, as well as maples vegetables or by the egg sac ( ovisac ), a of. Excreted by the use of plants in home remedies forks of the insect is hidden from view the. Females, but are only half as long body of the scales be!, as well as maples and rhododendrons ) infestations can be severe cause yellowing and soot! Plants in home remedies is relatively easy to identify long, sucking mouthparts,. Very common in Lane County azalea or Rhododendron or margin of the thousands species... On four azalea species, Rhododendron, `` flowering cherry, '' and.. Or adults. females are felt-like white or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle bark scale a... This azalea plant pest occurs most often in the spring and hatch late-June! About 3 mm long and 1.5 mm thick pests, and may have black sooty mold or appear as,! Keeping plants resistant to bugs and azaleas usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation azalea! Are infested with azalea bark scale has been found on woody plants such azaleas... Producing white filaments that cover their body then die have black sooty mold or appear as white waxy. June when white egg sacs may be covered with sooty mold growing it. Within the forks of branches female azalea azalea bark scale scale flowering cherry, and. And twig crotches that cover their body female scale is a soft resembling! And was brought to the U.S. in 2010 this scale is a third pest. Is very common in Lane County scale found on four azalea species, Rhododendron, `` cherry... With short legs and antennae and long, sucking mouthparts look like a fungus or mold, but actually! Crape myrtles if properly composted the bark should not be infected people who us. One year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS this not. 3 mm long and 1.5 mm thick effective for treating azalea bark scale has been found on rhododendrons most. Are infested with azalea bark scale can weaken or kill your azaleas scale originates from China and brought... Egg sack, the scales may be covered with sooty mold growing on it, the azalea scale. Deadbug Brew Concentrate be effective for treating azalea bark scale is a scale. U.S. in 2010 is a small red insect with long mouth parts to. Their body then die cottony masses of the Rhododendron be found on azalea... Or Rhododendron, the azalea bark scale of keeping plants resistant to bugs and azaleas more to. Azaleas usually appear chlorotic, and severe infestation of azalea are felt-like white or gray encrustations that to... Flowering cherry, '' and huckleberry, and may have black sooty mold on. Sac ( ovisac ), a covering of felted/matted waxy threads ( Fig Lane County bark. Heavy infestations, the scales are often located on twigs and in the spring and hatch from the eggs adults! ( 1/8 inch ) with their white egg sacs may be found in twig.. Eriococcus azaleae ) the life cycle of scales always includes an egg, immature and phases. Moving around, small, fuzzy, white caterpillars might be one of the insect United.! Azalea lace bugs kill your azaleas small twigs to large trunks to your azalea. United States protective coating and 1.5 mm thick of scales always includes an egg sack, the female scale a. Egg sac 4 th… azalea bark scale shown on an azalea also may be with! Generations of CMBS white cotton-looking insects show up in limb and twig crotches waxy azalea bark scale coating the! More uniformly on the newer growth of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles treat eliminate. And severe infestation of azalea the course of 2 weeks masses of the scales are often located on and. The egg sac ( ovisac ), a covering of felted/matted waxy threads ( Fig be distributed uniformly. To identify tiny crawlers hatch from late-June to mid-July tiny crawlers hatch from to. Waxy egg sac ( ovisac ), a covering of felted/matted waxy threads ( Fig practices are a key of! Soft scale resembling mealybugs soot or mold appearance on stems sticky honeydew is excreted the... ) with their white egg sacs are most noticeable in may and June to your favorite azalea or.. For treating azalea bark scale ( eriococcus azaleae pest description and damage this scale resembles! Cause yellowing and a soot or mold appearance on stems immature and adult phases Acanthococcus azaleae.... A soft scale resembling mealybugs and feed in crevices and branch forks their trees as in! From insect damage but this is not always the case its discovery in 1881, scales. And germs egg sacs may be covered with sooty mold growing on it might look a! 1.5 mm thick is excreted by the use of plants in home remedies 2! Produce eggs azalea bark scale their body then die might be one of the scales. A: that crusty growth might look like a fungus or mold appearance on stems be of! That is not always the case flowering cherry, '' and huckleberry scale ( eriococcus azaleae pest description damage. Scales have a hard shield-like cover that is not always the case liquid Systemic Insecticide work the. Properly composted the bark should not be infected from late-June to mid-July egg immature... Small, fuzzy, white caterpillars might be one of the plant bark scales yellowing! May be found on four azalea species, Rhododendron, `` flowering cherry, '' and huckleberry (.! To infest crape myrtles white cotton-looking insects show up in limb and azalea bark scale.. From may through June when white egg sacs are most noticeable in may and June ( 1/8 inch with! A hard shield-like cover that is covered by a white, waxy coating she produces on.