Pest profile

Juniper Scale

Carulaspis juniperi and C. minima · Hemiptera: Diaspididae[3]

Juniper and minute cypress scales are armored scales of junipers, cypresses and arborvitae; light infestations are harmless, but heavy ones can kill branches or whole plants.[1]

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

How to identify it

  • Female scales are about 1/16 inch across, round and white with a yellow center, like tiny fried eggs.[1]
  • Immature males are smaller, elongate and ridged, white with yellow at one end; crawlers are tiny and yellow.[1]
  • The two species look alike and need a microscope to tell apart.[1]

Where it lives

Both occur throughout the eastern US and on the West Coast from California to British Columbia; juniper scale is more common in the North and minute cypress scale in the Southeast.[1]

Biology and life cycle

They overwinter as mated females; in Pennsylvania, eggs are laid from late April to mid-May and crawlers peak in late May.[1]

Hosts include junipers, cypresses, arborvitae, false cypress and incense cedar, and sometimes cedars, spruces, pines and yews.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Foliage first loses its shine, then turns yellow on individual branches and may die; severe infestations kill plants.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; Penn State Extension mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Biological control

Dustywings, lady beetles and at least four parasitic wasps attack these scales; keeping plants unstressed lets them do the work.[1]

Pesticides

For heavier infestations, target crawlers from late May through June with horticultural oil first, or apply dormant oil in early April above 40°F.[1]

More from UK Entomology

Females are circular with 'fried egg' coloring, while males are more elongated.[2]

Common questions

What are the tiny white dots with yellow centers on my juniper?
Likely juniper or minute cypress scales, which look like tiny fried eggs.[1]
When should juniper scale be treated?
Late May through June, when unprotected crawlers are out, starting with horticultural oil.[1]

Sources

  1. Penn State Extension, “Juniper and Minute Cypress Scales.” extension.psu.edu/juniper-and-minute-cypress-scales (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. University of Kentucky Entomology, “ENTFACT-429: Juniper Scale.” entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef429 (accessed 2026-10-14)
  3. iNaturalist, “Carulaspis juniperi taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/387181 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.