Yew (Taxus)-Cottony camellia scale

Pulvinaria floccifera

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. The most visible stage of the cottony camellia scale is the adult female insect beneath a scale that resembles a flat 0.125-inch diameter cover often found on the underside of a leaf. Emerging from beneath the adult female scale is an oblong cottony white egg mass that can be up to twice the length of the adult scale. The cottony camellia scale (sometimes called taxus scale) crawlers are flat brownish or yellowish sucking insects. Foliage with scale infestations may turn yellowish or pale in color. Due to copious honeydew, leaves below are covered with a crust of black sooty mold. The cottony camellia scale is also in camellia and many other hosts. On yew, it is known as the cottony yew scale. It is possible to have low numbers of this insect for years without an outbreak.

For biology, life history, monitoring and management

See:

Management-chemical control

See Table 1 in: