Fletcher scale, Michigan trees, shrubs

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Fletcher scale - 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.

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.


Brown ovals on twigs are scales; examine the interior branches of the shrub and look for sooty mold.	Arrow points to hole in scale caused by one of the tiny wasps that are internal parasites.

Additional information

MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in pest identification.
MSU Landscape Alert newsletters for information about the current growing season, pest concerns and plant advice.

This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/09/07