Pine Needle Scales

Pine Needle Scales are tiny, tear-drop shaped insects. While they do have darker colors underneath, the appear almost entirely white because of their waxy cover. Males are even smaller than females and have wings. An infestation of Pine Needle Scales can make it look like a light dusting of snow on the tree.

 

They overwinter as eggs underneath the protective cover and then emerge in the spring. In Virginia, there are usually two hatchings: the first in May and the second generation near the end of July. Pine Needle Scales will stay active until winter, when they lay eggs to overwinter. Females usually lay 5-30 eggs, which are purple in color.

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Pine Needle Scales feed on the juices inside needles on conifers, such as pines, cedars, spruces, and other needled plants. The plant can experience a decline in health as infestations occur.

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To learn even more about Pine Needle Scales, check out our blog post

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Photo: Pine needle scale; Scott Tunnock, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org