Euonymus Scale: Identification and Control

Recognizing a Serious Pest

White clusters on euonymus leaves and stems are male euonymus scales; females are dark, oyster-shaped. Heavy infestations cause yellow spots, branch dieback, and plant death.

Control Strategy

• Plant resistant varieties: *E. alatus* 'Compactus', *E. fortunei* 'Acutus'.
• Scrape off light infestations; prune heavily infested branches.
• Dormant horticultural oil spray smothers adults/eggs.
• Monitor for crawlers (spring) with sticky tape; spray acephate, malathion, cyfluthrin, or carbaryl at 10-day intervals when crawlers are active.

Avoid broad insecticides that kill natural enemies.