MSU Extension Integrated Pest Management

Parthenolecanium fletcheri

Hosts

Yew and arborvitae.This insect overwinters as a small, reddish brown nymph on twigs and needles. Vulnerable overwintering females (before egg production occurs) are present as redbud and Koreanspice viburnum are in bloom. Look for crawlers as elderberry or ‘Hills of Snow’ hydrangea are in bloom.

Brown ovals on twigs are scales; examine the interior branches of the shrub and look for sooty mold.

Management

This is primarily a nursery pest and is not usually observed in the landscape. In the landscape, natural enemies, including several small wasps, often control Fletcher scale

Arrow points to hole in scale caused by one of the tiny wasps that are internal parasites.

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