euonymus scale

Symptoms

Stems and the undersides of leaves become encrusted with scales - slender white waxy male scales (often in dense white patches) and brown, oyster-shell-shaped female scales; yellow or pale spots show on the upper leaf surface above the feeding, leaves drop, and heavily infested branches or whole plants weaken and die back. The mass of white flecks on the stems is the giveaway.

Plants affected

• Japanese spindle

Common questions

How do I recognise euonymus scale on Japanese spindle?

Stems and the undersides of leaves become encrusted with scales - slender white waxy male scales (often in dense white patches) and brown, oyster-shell-shaped female scales; yellow or pale spots show on the upper leaf surface above the feeding, leaves drop, and heavily infested branches or whole plants weaken and die back. The mass of white flecks on the stems is the giveaway.

Do I have to report euonymus scale?

No. euonymus scale is not a notifiable organism, so there is nothing to report to an authority. Treat it as a normal garden problem.

How is euonymus scale treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.