Golden Euonymus Decline: Scale Insects, Not Lady Beetles

Misidentified Pest on Dying Shrubs

A Pennsylvania gardener's golden euonymus shows white leaves, defoliation, and black "ladybug-like" insects with red dots.

Beneficial Insects Eating Real Pest

• Black insects = lady beetles – Predators eating euonymus scale
• Real problem: euonymus scale – Causes dieback
• Treatment: horticultural oil – 1% summer, 2.5% fall

Don't kill the lady beetles—they're helping.