Shrub Insects

Be on the lookout for a new pest of boxwoods. Box tree moth caterpillars chew the leaves of boxwood plants and can cause complete defoliation. Boxwoods are their only host plant. This pest has been found in several US states, and was first detected in Maryland in July 2025. If you find it, please report it to us.

Needled evergreens are the preferred host plants of bagworms, but they can also feed on the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs.

Learn how to identify and manage Indian wax scale insects.

Learn about how scale insects are classified and how they feed, and how to effectively manage populations that cause plant damage.

Learn how to inspect plants for signs of a scale insect infestation.

Learn how to identify and manage several species of armored scale insects.

Honeydew, a sugary waste product is produced by many sap-sucking insects. Sooty mold is a fungus that grows on the honeydew.