Yew (Taxus) mealybug, Dysmicoccus wistariae, is a pest of ornamental yew. This pest can be difficult to see, as it resides on the interior of the plant. They are most commonly found on branch forks. Yew mealybugs can cause significant damage to affected plants and can be a nuisance as they secrete a sticky sap like substance called honeydew. Honeydew can coat surfaces such as sidewalks and attract a black sooty mold that looks unsightly. Commonly moved by shipment of plants from growers to nurseries, this insect occurs wherever yew grows.
Treatment Strategy
Depending on the treatment, treatments should be targeted during 246 -618 GDD when insects are active. Monitoring the interior of the plant is important for identifying and diagnosing this pest. If sprays can be applied directly to the insects with thorough coverage they will be effective. If they cannot, systemic insecticides will work, though they will take more time to uptake. In severe infestations, limbs can be removed to reduce the insect population.
Other Treatment Practices
- Promote health and vigor with proper irrigation, mulching, proper pruning and prescription based fertilization practices.
- Water shrubs during drought times, but do not leave soil soggy too long as yew do not like wet feet.
- Monitor for leaf notching due to black vine weevil.
Soil Application or Basal Bark/Limb/Foliar Spray Using Transtect
Tree Injection Using Transtect Infusible
Foliar Spray Using Proxite + RTSA Horticultural Oil
Soil Application or Limb/Foliar Spray Using Xytect 2F
Tree Injection Using Xytect 10%
Limb/Foliar Spray Using RTSA Horticultural Oil
Expected Results
If timed correctly, sprays will work well. Systemic insecticides are very useful for controlling this insect. As with other scales, a soil treatment of Transtect in early spring or Xytect in late fall will likely be effective at controlling this pest.
Signs of Damage
- Oval hemispherical insect with white coating and waxy filaments extending to the sides
- Body segments are visible
- Thinning foliage on yew, often yellow
- Waxy white secretions and dead females on bottom and top of leaves
- Insects are commonly found at branch forks
Photo: lifamilies.com
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trees At Risk
- Yew (Taxus)
- Rhododendron
- Maple (Acer)
- Dogwood (Cornus)
- And others
Biology
- One year life cycle.
- Overwinter as nymphs under bark scales or dead females.
- Nymphs are active at 200 to 300 GDD or when Vanhouteii spirea bloom.
- Mid-June females give birth to live young.
- Insects are active 246 -618 GDD.
References
Always refer to product label for rates and approved uses. Some images courtesy of forestryimages.org or Wikimedia Commons. Use of the images does not imply endorsement of treatments.
