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Common Insects & Mites
Aphids
Asian lady beetle
Bark beetles
Brown marmorated stink bug
Brown soft scale
California gallfly
Conifer aphids
Cottony camellia scale
Cutworms and loopers
Earwigs
Eriophyid mites
Exotic longhorned beetles
Fall webworm
Inchworms
Leafhoppers
Leafminers
Leafrollers
Lecanium scale
Oystershell scale
Pamphilid sawflies
Pear slug
Root weevils
Sapsucker damage
Shothole borer
Skeletonizers
Slugs
Sowbugs, pillbugs, and millipedes
Spider mites
Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD)
Tent caterpillars
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Caption: Giant conifer aphids on pine
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli
Common Insects & Mites : Conifer aphids
(revision date: 4/30/2013)
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.
Biology
Conifer aphids are often large black aphids that attack only coniferous trees. There are a few species that are smaller, green, and develop powdery white waxy material over their bodies. The large black ones frequently feed on growth tips (leaders) and twigs. As their numbers increase, they produce a sticky liquid secretion called honeydew. This can "rain" on cars, sidewalks, and lawn furniture causing a serious nuisance problem. Honeydew is also a problem in that it serves as a food for the black sooty mold fungus, as well as attracting honeydew-feeding insects such as ants. Conifer aphids that feed on needles often cause curling or twisting of the needles due to toxins in their saliva. Honeydew problems are also associated with these aphids.
Management Options
Non-Chemical Management
Hose aphids off smaller trees with a strong stream of water.
Encourage natural enemies of aphids.
Purchase and release lacewings and parasitic aphid wasps.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT:
Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides
Pesticide applications are generally not recommended. If you choose to make an application, make certain that the pesticide applied is registered for the host and effective against the pest. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.
Images
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Caption: Giant conifer aphids on pine
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli
Caption: Giant conifer aphids
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli