Mature trees may lose enough leaves to suffer twig dieback as a result of sunscald damage. With a light infestation on young trees, caterpillars can be handpicked and destroyed. On large trees, control is more difficult. Where possible, rely on birds, parasites and diseases to naturally control their numbers. It is effective against young larvae.
Scales are unusual insects in appearance.
As adults, they are small and immobile, with no visible legs. They vary in appearance depending on age, sex and species. Scales feed on sap by piercing the leaf or stem with their mouthparts and sucking. As they feed on plant sap, they excrete a sugary substance called honeydew. The sooty mold fungus feeds on the honeydew, resulting in unsightly, dark fungal growth.