Eriosoma lanigerum
Pest description and crop damage Adult woolly apple aphids are reddish to purple and are completely covered with a thick, woolly white wax. The insects feed on roots, trunks, limbs and shoots, producing galls at the site of the infestation. Heavy infestations on roots or above-ground portions of the tree can stunt growth and even kill young trees.
Biology and life history These aphids overwinter as adults on roots and aerial parts of apple trees. In severe winters, the aboveground colonies may be killed. In spring and early summer, nymphs move up and down the tree to find a new spot to settle and produce new colonies. Preferred feeding sites are leaf axils on new shoots.
Scouting and thresholds Inspect trees during the growing season for the characteristic white, waxy colonies. Aerial colonies are mainly found in rough areas of bark and in wounds caused by pruning.
Management-biological control
Lacewings, lady beetles and syrphid fly larvae are predators, as well as the parasitic wasp Aphelinus mali. The predators will consume all but the waxy secretion left by the aphids.
Management-cultural control
This aphid is considered a minor pest in the PNW. If colonies are found on trees, they can be physically removed. Many Geneva and Malling-Merton rootstocks are resistant.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
Spring and summer
- carbaryl-Highly toxic to bees.
- imidacloprid-Soil drenches may have residual activity in woody plants lasting for 12 or more months. If short-term management is the goal, consider other approaches. Highly toxic to bees.
- insecticidal soap-Some formulations are OMRI-listed.
- malathion-Highly toxic to bees.
- zeta-cypermethrin-Highly toxic to bees.
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
Spring and summer
- diazinon (Diazinon 50W) at 4 lb of product/A in up to 100 gal water per application. Do not apply more than one application as an in-season spray. REI 4 days. PHI 21 days. [Group 1B]
- flonicamid (Beleaf 50 SG) at 2.0 to 2.8 oz of product/A in up to 100 gal water per application. Do not apply more than three applications per season. REI 12 hr. PHI 21 days. [Group 29]
- flupyradifurone (Sivanto) at 6.0 to 7.0 fl oz/A in up to 100 gal water per application. Suppression only. REI 4 hr. PHI 14 day.
- imidacloprid (Admire Pro and generics) at 7 to 10.5 fl oz/A chemigation or root drench depending on label. Do not apply prior to bloom or when bees are actively foraging. Do not apply more than 10.5 oz product/A per growing season. REI 12 hr. PHI 21 days.
- thiamethoxam (Actara WDG) at 4.5 to 5.5 oz/A in up to 100 gal water per application. Do not exceed 16.5 oz/A per season. REI 12 hr. PHI 35 days. [Group 4A]
- sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) at 0.75 to 1.5 oz/A in up to 100 gal water per application. See supplemental label. No more than 4 applications per season. PHI 7 days [Group 4C]