Discovered in 1881, the azaleabarkscale, Eriococcus azaleas, is a prominent pest of rhododendron, azalea, and huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.). Adult female azaleabarkscales, Eriococcus azaleae, are dark red with short legs and antennae and long, thread-like mouthparts. The insect is usually hidden from view by the egg sac or... AzaleaBarkScale, Eriococcus azaleas, was discovered in 1881 and is a major yearly pest for Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Huckleberries. The immature azaleabarkscale superficially resembles a mealybug in appearance.Biology and life history The azaleabarkscale overwinters as an adult and lays eggs in the spring. The adult female azaleabarkscale can be described as dark red with short legs and antennae and long, sucking mouthparts. Azaleabarkscale (ABS) poses a serious threat to azaleas, rhododendron, and Pieris (Andromedas) in Georgia. ABS is a soft scale insect... Azaleabarkscale life cycle. Female insects are approximately 0.125 inches long. Eggs are laid in the spring and hatch from late June through July. Azaleas can tolerate low populations of this barkscale without significant damage. If there are no yellowing leaves, no treatment is necessary. Azaleabarkscale looks like, and is often mistaken for, mealybugs. The female is covered with waxy threads that harden into a protective scale as her egg sac forms. The azaleabarkscale is a soft scale resembling mealybugs. Red females cover themselves and their eggs with a white, waxy protective coating. azaleabarkscale. ESA Webinar Archives. Professional Development & Skill Building Webinars. The adult female azaleabarkscale is dark red with a long sucking mouthpart. It is hidden from view by the matted waxy threads of the egg sac that covers it. Azaleabarkscale. This scale is easy to recognize by the white, cottony sacs that cover the developing pink eggs (see Figures 4 and 5). Image. Egg sacs on a plant stem. Up close, the azaleabarkscale insect is white to gray in color. Larger female scales “bleed” a pink liquid when crushed. The crape myrtle scale appears pink in color inside the case.
