Sassafras weevils, also known as yellow poplar weevils, or magnolia weevils, are small black snout beetles that occasionally damage yellow poplar, sassafras, and magnolia. Adults chew distinctive holes in the leaves that resemble curved rice grains in size and shape. The combined activity of adults and larvae can cause significant leaf loss. While injured leaves cause the trees to be unsightly, damage to established trees probably does not affect its overall health. Occasionally there are large outbreaks.

Magnolia scale is a common problem. Mature females, present in July and August, are pinkish orange to brown bumps, often covered with a white waxy powder. This insect spends the winter on older twigs in an immature or nymphal stage that is dark gray with a reddish brown ridge along the middle of the back. There is one generation of this insect with crawlers active in July and August. They produce large amounts of honeydew. For more information, see Entfact 431.