The pine needle scale appears as a white speck about 1/8 in. in length with a yellow to brown spot at one end. The insect itself is purplish while the eggs and crawlers are both red. Male scales are winged and capable of flight. Female scales are wingless. In winter, the scale will appear gray with purplish eggs underneath the waxy covering. Heavily infested trees have a white or "flocked" appearance. Austrian and mugho pines are favorite hosts of the scale however, Scots and red pines as well as some spruces may be attacked.