Eriococcus azaleae
Pest description and damage Scale insects are small (less than 0.125 inch in length) soft insects that live beneath waxy scales. These insects are often identified by the shape and size of their scales, the description of adult males and females, immature crawler stage, color of eggs, and host plant preferences. Immature azalea bark scales superficially resemble mealybugs in appearance. Mature female scales are about 0.125 inch long and appear like white cottony sacs, often located on twigs and stems of azalea, especially in branch axils. Eggs, crawlers, and adults beneath the wax scales are red. Hosts include andromeda, azalea, rhododendron, hawthorn, poplar, willow, and most recently, blueberry in the Pacific Northwest.
For biology, life history, scouting, and management options
See:
Azalea (Rhododendron)-Azalea bark scale
See "Scale insect" in:
Management-chemical control
See Table 1 in: