Green spire euonymus japonicus eggs? Bugs?

Question: I just noticed several light yellow dots on my plants and they look like they could be eggs? Very small. Thank you. Pesticide needed? 

This plant is next to a holly bush that is infected with some webs and possibly spiders, which is in the third photo, and is spreading to my other holly tree. Not sure how to treat?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 19, 2023, 2:56 PM EDT
response: The Euonymus appears to have a high population of the aptly-named Euonymus Scale, an insect pest not uncommonly found on these shrubs. Scale insects are hard to eradicate without resorting to insecticide use, but in that case, it would be prudent to cut the plant back drastically if you want to reduce the amount of pesticide needed for treatment. Some pesticide ingredients that are more effective for scale because they are plant-absorbed are not legal for the general public to apply in Maryland, so a certified pesticide applicator must be hired to make any of those applications. (More than one application will likely be needed to achieve good suppression, especially since this scale species has two generations per year in our area.) Low numbers of scale can persist after treatments that are okay to live with as they won't noticeably affect the plant, but high numbers can cause branch dieback after a time, plus they add to the shrub's stress on top of any environmental conditions (like the current drought) also taxing its vigor. Make sure plants are being monitored for watering needs so they can be as resilient as possible. If you do not wish to use a pesticide nor cut the plant back harshly to see how well it regrows in the hopes the scale do not rebound, then we recommend removal of the shrub and replacement with a different species. Some species of Euonymus are invasive in our region, though this cultivar doesn't seem to set seed as readily as others can.  The holly appears to be undamaged and the webbing is most likely caused by spiders. While a few generalist caterpillars can make messy webs and feed communally, there would be enough of them around that you'd see them in or near the web if this was their creation. (Many spiders will hide and won't necessarily sit out in the middle of the web.) Spiders are good to have in the garden and should not be removed or sprayed with pesticide as they prey on insects, including those we consider pests. If they seem to be spreading, it's probably because young spiders that are maturing after hatching earlier this spring, which are now finding their own spaces to set up a home, are dispersing over time and, as they get older, creating larger webs.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 19, 2023, 8:09 PM EDT
response: Miri, Thank you. I did heavily prune the holly today, and it seems that it needed pruning anyway, and removed most of the spiders. If there are any remaining, I see that they are good for the insects. I will remove the Euonymus on your advice, since it is not in a good place anyway, near my front door. Thankyou!I avoid pesticides if possible.MartineOn Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 2:56 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 20, 2023, 8:51 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.