Spruce: Coneworms categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Coneworm larvae on pinePhoto by: K. Grey Biology Coneworms attack the green cones of spruce by burrowing into them and feeding. They may also bore into shoot tips, causing tip dieback, or feed on the soft bark of young growth. The coneworms are […]
Spruce: Cooley spruce gall adelgid categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Cooley spruce gall adelgid damagePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology This aphid-like insect feeds at the base of newly growing needles. The plant responds to adelgid feeding by forming a green or purplish cone-shaped gall around them. This 1⁄2″ to 3″ […]
Spruce: Douglas fir tussock moth categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-04-12 12:00 Douglas-fir tussock mothPhoto by: R.D. Akre Biology Douglas fir tussock moth larvae are distinguished by three long tufts of black hairs on their body (two in front, one in back) and lighter tufts along their back. They feed on the […]
Spruce: Pine needle scale categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Photo by: A.L. Antonelli close-up.Photo by: R.S. Byther Biology Pine needle scale occurs on the needles of spruce, pine, and true fir. The elongate, flattened scales are white and about 1⁄16″ long. Infested needles are mottled yellow at first, then turn […]
Spruce: Spruce aphid categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2024-04-08 11:46 Spruce aphid damagePhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Plants affected by spruce aphid first show yellowish blotches on the needles, sometimes with honeydew (sticky material excreted by the aphids) present. The needles may turn completely yellow or brown and drop. Spruce aphids feed […]
Spruce: Spruce bud scale categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-21 12:00 Spruce bud scalePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Spruce bud scales are reddish to brown in color and occur at the base of new shoots. They tend to be very inconspicuous, as they may be partly hidden by the bark. Lower branches […]
Spruce: Spruce budworm categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-04-12 12:00 Caption: Spruce budwormPhoto by: T.J. Fitzgerald Biology These larvae feed on the buds and foliage and may tie shoot tips together with webbing to make a nest. They are typically green to brown in color with a darker head and grow to […]
Spruce: Spruce needleminer categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Spruce needleminer larvaPhoto by: R. Van Denburgh Biology The spruce needle miner feeds on spruce needles from the inside out, starting at the base of the needle. These larvae are light greenish to brown and grow to approximately 1⁄2″ long. Large amounts […]
Spruce: Spruce spider mite categories: Conifers Juniper Juniper Insects Ornamentals revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Spruce spider mite damagePhoto by: R. Maleike Biology The presence of spruce spider mites is indicated by yellow stippling near the needle bases, usually on the lower branches and spreading upwards as the mite population increases. Damaged needles may turn reddish-brown. […]
Spruce: White pine weevil categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Spruce white pine weevil damagePhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology The white pine weevil attacks the terminal or top shoot of the tree. Infested terminals may be seriously damaged or killed. Often, the terminal droops, wilts, or is deformed by the feeding […]
Spruce: Oil discoloration of foliage categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Diseases revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Discoloration on older foliage from oil applicationPhoto by: R. Maleike Biology Oil discoloration of spruce foliage is suspected when trees which normally have blue-green needles instead have bright green needles. Use of spray oils (to control insects, for instance) can […]
Spruce: Rhizosphaera needle cast categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Diseases revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Spruce Rhizosphaera needle castPhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology The first symptoms occur in late summer, when a yellow mottling develops on the current season’s needles. During the fall to early spring, the infected needles turn brown or purplish brown. The needles […]
Spruce: Rust categories: Conifers Ornamentals Spruce Spruce Diseases revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Photo by: R.S. BytherSpruce rust Biology Spruce rusts are fungal diseases that sometimes require an alternate host to complete their life cycle. There are many rust diseases of spruce, each with different alternate hosts. One spruce rust causes witches’ brooms, or abnormally bushy […]
Pine: Coneworms categories: Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Pine coneworm damagePhoto by: L.J. du Toit Biology Coneworms attack trees by boring into green cones. They also may bore into shoot tips or stems, especially around wounds. Tip dieback may result from coneworm feeding. Injured twigs often can be distinguished by the presence […]
Pine: Eriophyid mites categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Pine eriophyid mite damagePhoto by: R.S. Byther Biology Eriophyid mites are tiny, wormlike, whitish or tan mites which feed under bud scales or in the needle sheaths, often between the needle bases. Symptoms of eriophyid mite infestations include yellowing, distortion, and stunting […]
Pine: European pine shoot moth categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-04-04 12:00 European pine shoot moth larvaPhoto by: E.P. Breakey Biology The larvae of the European pine shoot moth feed on tips of branches, boring first into needles or bud bases, then into the shoots. Infested tips are covered with pitch-covered webbing, […]
Pine: Mountain pine beetle categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Bark beetle larval galleriesPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology The mountain pine beetle attacks pine trees (trunks and branches) 4″-5″ in diameter or larger. The adults and larvae mine the bark, weakening and girdling trees. Heavily infested trees may decline or die. […]
Pine: Pandora moth categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Pandora moth adultPhoto by: Unknown Biology Pandora moth larvae are brownish- to yellowish-green, spiny, and about one inch long at maturity. The larvae feed on the needles of pines, especially ponderosa, Jeffrey, and lodgepole. The stubs of eaten needles remain on the […]
Pine: Pine aphid categories: Conifers Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-04-04 12:00 Woolly pine aphidPhoto by: R. Portman Biology Pine aphids are long-legged dark green or brown aphids covered with a white, woolly material. They are found in colonies on the needles. The aphids produce large amounts of honeydew (a sweet, sticky material) which is […]
Pine: Pine bark adelgid categories: Conifers Ornamentals Pine Pine Insects revision date: 2023-02-07 12:00 Pine bark adelgidPhoto by: A.L. Antonelli Biology Pine bark adelgids form woolly or cottony white masses on the trunk, branches, or twigs. Heavy infestations can look like snow on the trunks of trees. Seedling and young trees may have adelgids at […]