Pine needle scale
From Bugwoodwiki
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USDA Forest Service. 1979. A guide to common insects and diseases of forest trees in the northeastern United States. Northeast. Area State Priv. For., For. Insect and Disease Management., Broomall, PA. p. 123, illus.
Pine needle scale is most common on mugho and red pines, but is also found on other pine species and on spruces. This insect appears as a white, cottony speck with a yellow to orange spot at one end. The female, which is about 1/8 inch long, is twice the size of the male. In June and July, pine needle scales may be seen aligned on the needles of the host.
The scale overwinters as a cluster of eggs under the protective cottony covering of the female. When new trees shoots begin to elongate, the eggs hatch and the larvae crawl to new needles where they insert their mouthparts and begin to feed. The insect does not move from its feeding spot until it matures in early July. At that time, the males move from its feeding spot until it matures in early July. At that time, the males move about in search of females. The males, which are rare, have two wings and very soft bodies. They probably are not needed by the females for successful reproduction. A new batch of reddish eggs gives rise to the second generation. The yellowish crawlers molt twice before secreting the ehite covering at maturity. There are two generations per year in the South, but usually only one in the North.
Heavy infestations are rare under forest conditions, because weather and ladybird beetles usually keep popularions low. Ornamental and shade trees may be killed by heavy infestations of pine needle scale, although usually a tree suffers only loss of color and growth. Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable to this insect, which can attain outbreak proportions in a single year.
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 Photo by James B. Hanson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org |  Photo by Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, , Bugwood.org |
