Very light infestations appear to have little effect on the plants. However, light infestations often develop into large populations with thousands of scale feeding on a single plant. Severe infestations of euonymus scale can kill part or all of the plant if they are left unchecked. Symptoms of scale feeding are readily visible where medium to severe infestations are present. Varieties with dark green foliage exhibit yellowing of the leaves.
Variegated types exhibit a pinkish-red color on the leaves when euonymus scale is present.
In severe scale infestations, thousands of the mature female scales encrust the euonymus stems, and many leaves drop. The white scale covers of immature males are also readily visible on the leaves of the plant. Some of these proved to be successful at controlling the pest where they were experimentally released. The agency believes that this project will benefit homeowners, landscapers, and nursery people alike. Project work will be performed in more than 35 States.