Scale insect and pathogen complex affecting eastern white pine health

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in inquiries regarding eastern white pine health. States from Maine to Georgia have noticed, on all diameter classes of white pine trees, symptoms of decline including high densities of cankers, crown thinning, and branch flagging.  Mortality of both young and mature white pine is also occurring in multiple states. A pathogen, Caliciopsis pinea, was found most frequently on symptomatic trees along with a number of secondary pathogens. Upon close inspection and dissection of cankers, a small scale insect was discovered on the bole and branches of symptomatic white pines in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Georgia. This Matsucoccus scale (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae) is currently being examined for identification, and research is being conducted to determine the range and density of both the scale and pathogens on symptomatic white pines. In addition, permanent plots are being established to examine the severity of this pest/pathogen complex on eastern white pine health in natural stands. This project will involve preliminary work that will aid in the understanding of white pine mortality, particularly in the Southern Appalachians, as well as the pest/pathogen/host dynamics.