Physokermes hemicryphus
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. Female spruce scales are semiglobular (0.1 inch in diameter), brown or reddish, and occur at the base of new shoots. They tend to be very inconspicuous, as they may be hidden by the bark and may resemble buds. Lower branches often are infested heavily and may be killed, while upper branches are much less affected. Spruce bud scales produce a large amount of honeydew that is covered with black sooty mold.
For biology, life history, scouting, and management options
See "Scale insect" in:
Management-chemical control
See Table 1 in: