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  2. Nut Crops
  3. Hazelnut Pests

Hazelnut-Aphid

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Image related to Hazelnut-Aphid
Filbert aphid
Myzocallis coryli Goetze
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Filbert aphid (Myzocallis coryli)
Hazelnut aphid (Corylobium avellanae)

Pest description and crop damage Medium to small aphids that feed on leaves and husks and produce honeydew. Filbert aphid is typically found on the underside of leaves and is light green or pale yellow and lacks well-developed cornicles, which are tube-like projections that emerge from the abdomen. Hazelnut aphid is initially found on leaves but transitions mainly to stems and husks as the growing season advances. Hazelnut aphid has well-developed cornicles, longer legs, and is a darker green color and may also have reddish coloration. Experimental evidence indicates that heavy infestations of filbert aphid should be controlled to prevent reduced kernel fill and smaller nut size. Less is known about the impact of hazelnut aphid or the potential synergistic impact of the two species occurring together. Damage caused by aphids is cumulative; benefits of control might not be seen during the first season, but they become evident after two years or more of aphid control. Honeydew produced by aphids is colonized by sooty mold fungus. Sooty mold can impede photosynthesis and severely devitalize plants and retard growth. Honeydew is sweet and it attracts pollinators, so use caution when managing severe aphid infestations with insecticides. These aphid species are specific to hazelnut, they are not found on other plants outside the orchard other than wild hazelnut plants.

Biology and life history Both aphid species overwinter as eggs in crevices in bark and on twigs, and around buds and leaf scales. Eggs turn from a greenish color when they are first laid to black as they mature. Around the time of bud swell, aphid eggs of both species begin to hatch, and the tiny nymphs move to the green buds and commence feeding. As leaves begin to develop and shoots elongate, both species are found on the underside of leaves and along the shoots, with hazelnut aphid tending to be more dominant on shoots and along leaf midribs. Filbert aphid tends to remain on undersides of leaves where it feeds on phloem along marginal leaf veins throughout the season, while hazelnut aphid tends to transition to nut husks and peduncles as they develop. The winged 'stem mothers', or fundatrices that develop from these first nymphs to emerge are capable of dispersing by flight, and they give birth to live nymphs that also give birth to live nymphs when fully mature (viviparae). The population can increase rapidly, and there are 8 to 10 asexual generations per year. In the fall, winged sexual males and wingless females (oviparae) are formed. These winged males mate with the female oviparae. There is a behavioral change after the female oviparae are mated in fall. The aphids no longer remain mostly stationary at their feeding sites, but begin to wander over the branches of the tree, laying the eggs that will overwinter and emerge the following spring.

Pest monitoring The sampling period is April 1-Sept 30. Check three terminal branches per tree and three leaves per terminal. Count the number of aphids per leaf and treat when the following thresholds for filbert aphid are reached: April: 20 per leaf, May: 30/leaf, June: 40/leaf, and July: 40/leaf with an increasing population. Because hazelnut aphid is a relative newcomer, action thresholds based on their density have not been developed. If there are signs of the parasitoid Trioxys pallidus, hold off on treatment and check back on population levels in a week. Mummified aphids indicate that the parasitoid is active. Aphid mummies from T. pallidus appear swollen, rounded, and darker (brown) and may have an exit hole chewed by the emerging wasp. Note that populations of filbert aphid typically peak by June and will decrease substantially by July regardless of management action. Populations of filbert aphid rebound during the fall. Hazelnut aphid population peaks during the mid-growing season. Hazelnut aphids are also attacked by T. pallidus, and black mummies may be apparent on husks, indicating hazelnut aphids are under attack by a different parasitoid species (Ephedrus sp.).

Management-biological control

An introduced parasitoid wasp (T. pallidus) that attacks both aphid species is well established in the Willamette Valley. This wasp makes aphid sprays unnecessary in many hazelnut orchards. Learn to recognize mummies and the wasps and avoid treating when biological control is active. The aphid has a lower temperature threshold for development than the wasp, which typically emerges about two weeks after the aphids. As a result, there is a lag time between population increase of aphids and the response of the wasp. Pest management practices that are detrimental to the wasp population can aggravate aphid problems. Note also that broad-spectrum insecticide applications made against aphids or other orchard pests that harm natural enemies can free the aphid populations from biological control, causing populations to surge. Products labeled for aphid control that contain pyrethroid may ultimately aggravate aphid problems. There are a number of important predators of aphids that occur in hazelnut orchards including: ladybird beetles (both larvae and adult beetles are predaceous), syrphid fly larvae, big-eyed bugs (Geocoris spp., Geocoridae family), plant bugs (Deraeocoris spp., Miridae), minute pirate bugs (Orius spp., Anthocoridae) and lacewing larvae. Yellow jackets and paper wasps also prey on aphids. Small spiders on leaves are common and important natural enemies of aphids.

Management-cultural control

Aphid populations tend to be higher in plants that are fertilized liberally with nitrogen. Avoid excess nitrogen applications, which produces flushes of succulent growth that are the ideal habitat for aphids. Home orchardists: Wash aphids from plants with a strong stream of water or by hand-wiping. Control ants, which "farm" the aphids for their honeydew and protect them from predators.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • acetamiprid-Do not make more than four applications per season. PHI 14 days.
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 (Naturalis L)-Biological, entomopathogenic fungi. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • carbaryl (carbamate)-Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply when bees are actively foraging; wait until after trees have flowered.
  • esfenvalerate-Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply when bees are actively foraging; wait until after trees have flowered. PHI 21 days.
  • gamma-cyhalothrin-Highly toxic to bees.
  • imidacloprid-Neonicotinoid that is highly toxic to bees. PHI 7 days.
  • gamma-cyhalothrin
  • insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use. Creates particle film that prevents aphids from colonizing the plant.
  • mineral or vegetable oils-Dormant or delayed dormant applications can kill aphid eggs. Use caution not to interfere with active pollination.
  • plant-derived essential oils-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use and have shown efficacy against aphids. Active ingredients include canola oil, garlic oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, sesame oil.
  • potassium laurate-Good coverage is important with potassium salts of fatty acids. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr.
  • pyrethrins (often as a mix with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use. Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply when bees are actively foraging; wait until after trees have flowered.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (often as a mix with bifenthrin) -PHI 7 days. Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply when bees are actively foraging; wait until after trees have flowered.

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • acetamiprid (Assail 70WP) at 0.57 to 1.0 oz/100 gal water (2.3 to 4.1 oz/A) (0.10 to 0.18 lb ai/A). PHI 14 days. REI 12 hr. No more than 4 applications per season.
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Beauveria bassiana (BioCeres WP and others)-Biological, entomopathogenic fungi. 1 to 3 lb/A. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Burkolderia spp. (Venerate CG Bioinsecticide)-Biological. 2 to 4 quarts per acre. Repeat applications on 3- to 10-day rotation. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • clothianidin (Belay) at 3 to 6 oz/100 gal water. Use the low rate for smaller infestations or smaller trees. Apply no more than 0.2 lb ai/A per year.
  • diazinon (Diazinon AG 500) at 1 pint/250 to 400 gal water/A. No more than one application per season. PHI 45 days. REI 18 days. Washington and Oregon only.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto) at 7.0 to 10.5 fl oz/A. PHI 7 days. REI 4 hr. Use no more than 28 fl oz/A per year.
  • flonicamid (Beleaf 50 SG) at 2.0 to 2.8 oz/A. Use low rate for building population, high rate for damaging population. PHI 40 days. REI 12 hr.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro, generics) at 3.4 to 7 fl oz/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Can be ground-applied or chemigated. See label details.
  • imidacloprid+beta-cyfluthrin (Leverage 360) at 2.8 oz/A (0.22 lb ai/A). PHI 14 days. REI 12 hr.
  • imidacloprid+cyfluthrin (Leverage 2.7) at 3.8 to 5.1 oz/A (0.03 to 0.04 lb ai/A). PHI 14 days. REI 12 hr.
  • Isaria (Cordyceps) fumosoroseae (PFR-97 20% WDG Microbial Insecticide) at 1 to 2 lb/A (0.2 to 0.4 lb ai/A). Pre-agitate for 30 min. Reapply on 3- to 10-day intervals. OMRI-listed for organic use. REI 4 hr.
  • kaolin-Particle film. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • oils-Various vegetable (non-mineral) oils are registered and may be useful as delayed dormant or postharvest and sprays as smothering agents for eggs. Botanical oil sprays can also be useful in-season. Many of these are OMRI-listed for organic use. Active ingredients include cinnamon oil, garlic oil, neem oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil.
  • potassium laurate (DES-X, M-PEDE and others) at 2 to 4% v/v. Good coverage is important with any of the potassium salts of fatty acids. OMRI-listed for organic use. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr.
  • pymetrozine (Devenir) at 2.5 to 5.0 oz in 100 gal. REI 12 hr. Nonbearing only.
  • pyrifluquinazon (PQZ) at 2.4 to 3.2 oz/A in 100 gal water (0.035 to 0.047 lb ai). No more than 2 applications per year. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr.
  • spirotetramat (Movento) at 6 to 9 fl oz/A (0.09 to 0.14 lb ai/A). PHI 7 days. REI 1 day.
  • sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) at 0.75 to 1.5 oz/A (0.023 to 0.047 lb ai/A). Avoid drift to blooming crops and weeds to protect pollinators. Avoid use if there are pollinators present on honeydew. PHI 7 days. REI 1 day.