Origin:
Uncertain, but likely native to North America.
Biology:
Immature females overwinter, maturing in the spring and depositing up to 500 eggs beneath their wax covering. The mobile crawlers are an amber brown color, and move to softer new growth to feed, returning to the stems to molt and begin to secrete their wax covering as a sessile nymph stage. There is a single generation each year, with development continuing until cold weather in the fall. They are prolific producers of honeydew and the associated sooty mold, and when present in Christmas tree farms can reduce the value of the trees. Many species of pines are susceptible.
Identification:
Immature scales produce a thin, translucent wax covering, which thickens and darkens as the insect matures. Initially the wax shell shows several rows of large tan to brownish spots, but ultimately ends as a uniform brown color. The surface is irregular and bumpy in texture.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Pines can tolerate small infestations, but if aesthetics or plant health are a concern dormant or summer oils may be effective in killing the scales, as well as contact insecticides applied when the first instar crawlers are present
