Wax Scale

These insects attack a wide variety of ornamental plants. Severely infected plants look stunted or yellowed. Wax scales are commonly found on stems and seldom on leaves. Wax scales overwinter as adult females, which are up to 1/4 inch in diameter. The gummy white waxy covering is usually white or yellow, but it may be coated black with sooty mold, a fungus that feeds on the honeydew excreted by the insect. Females lay eggs beneath them in the spring. Upon hatching the "crawlers" leave the old female and settle down and begin to produce the white waxy covering. Flip back the cover to see the yellow or red female and her eggs.

Control: Remove them with a toothpick or tweezers. Insecticides are available to control crawlers and recently settled nymphs.