Pest profile

Tea Scale

Fiorinia theae · Hemiptera: Diaspididae[2]

Tea scale is a key pest of camellias and many hollies in the Southeast; it stipples leaves yellow from below.[1]

Underside of a holly leaf coated with whitish tea scale, with yellow blotches on the leaf
Underside of a holly leaf coated with whitish tea scale, with yellow blotches on the leaf. (c) dburger88, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Females form narrow, elongate brown armor with a darker ridge down the middle.[1]
  • Crawlers are flat, oval and yellow; adult males are orange-yellow and winged.[1]
  • Feeding causes yellow stippling on the upper leaf surface.[1]

Where it lives

In the U.S. it's found in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana, and it has spread to Texas and California.[1]

US map: public records from 6 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It's active year round in Florida but slows in colder Georgia and the Carolinas, with fewer generations.[1]

Eggs are laid in two rows under the female's cover.[1]

Damage and signs

  • It drains nutrients, yellowing camellia and holly leaves; it's also a pest of tea, citrus, dogwood and olive.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants only; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Traps and physical control

On camellias, prune small interior non-flowering branches in February or March to improve air flow and spray coverage.[1]

Pesticides

In cooler areas spray in spring as eggs hatch, covering leaf undersides thoroughly; two or three applications 7 to 10 days apart are needed.[1]

Common questions

Why are my camellia leaves white underneath and yellow on top?
Tea scale infests the undersides and causes yellow stippling above.[1]
When should I treat?
In spring in cooler climates, with thorough coverage of leaf undersides.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Tea Scale, Fiorinia theae (EENY-250).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN522 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Fiorinia theae taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1043502 (accessed 2026-10-06)

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