Umbrella Pine Scale – Lepidosaphes sciadopitysi

Umbrella Pine Scale – Lepidosaphessciadopitysi

 

Common Name: Umbrella Pine Scale

Latin Name:  Lepidosaphessciadopitysi

Appearance:

 

The adult (mother) pine needle scale is about 1/8 inch long, white to grayish-white, and is always found attached to evergreen needles. Many of the scales overwinter in the egg stage beneath the covering and body of the mother scale. Pine needle scale eggs are tiny and have a rosy-purple color. Some mother scales survive the winter, especially during a mild season, and can continue laying eggs in spring. This can greatly extend the period of egg hatch.

 

Host plant:

 

Pines, spruces, white fir, Douglas-fir, and cedar; can be found in shelterbelt and decorative plantings of native and imported pines, particularly mugo pine. 

                    

Damages caused by Umbrella Pine Scale:

 

The umbrella pine scale can disfigure trees and limit development. High populations of this bug can kill needles, twigs, and entire (young) trees. The pine needle scale feeds on the needles of conifers such as Scots, mugo, Austrian, and red pines, as well as spruce and Douglas-fir less frequently.

 

Life history and habits:

 

Reddish-colored eggs overwinter beneath the female scales. From May to June, young, called nymphs, hatch and migrate to new locations by crawling or blown by the wind. The nymphs settle, begin feeding, and produce a waxy, scale covering. During late July and early August, mating takes place, and eggs are laid under the scale for next year’s generation. (In some locations, a second generation may occur in early fall.)