Tea Scale, Fiorinia theae
Tea Scale, Fiorinia theae
Vicky Bertagnolli. ©2019 Clemson Extension
Symptoms of scale insect infestations may include chlorosis (yellowing), fewer and smaller blossoms, leaf drop, twig dieback, and sometimes plant decline or even plant death.
Per Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) HGIC 2053, Camellia Diseases & Insect Pests, “tea scale primarily infests camellias and hollies but can be found on other ornamental species such as boxwood and Euonymus. Tea scale, Fiorinia theae, feeds on the underside of the leaves, causing chlorotic spots on the upper leaf surface. Large infestations reduce plant growth and cause leaves to drop, making the plant sparse and unhealthy looking. The number of blooms also decreases with heavy infestations.”
For additional information on armored scale, including management, see HGIC 2012, Armored Scale Insects & Control.
