Magnolia scale is common in northern Illinois and is one of the largest of the soft-scale insects that attack trees. The adult magnolia scales’ waxy coating protects them from directly applied ...

Crape myrtle bark scale can be found where the name implies — on the bark of the trees — and rarely on the foliage. An overall infestation appears as white to gray in color.

Many crape myrtle trees across the D.C. region are infested by a bug called bark scale, which leaves behind a black fungal infection. A cure is elusive.