Eriosoma lanigerum. Woolly Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) infest roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, and occasionally fruit of apple trees. Woolly aphid generally appears late summer/early autumn. Each adult woolly aphid can produce up to five young per day. The woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum is a widespread pest of fruit trees, feeding principally on apple, but also, pears, hawthorn, ash, alders, elms and oaks. Parasitised and healthy woolly aphids on apple tree. After a few generations, winged adults develop to spread to new branches and nearby trees. The most important form of injury caused by woolly apple aphids is root injury, consisting of galls at feeding … With the disappearance of elm trees, the woolly apple aphid lives primarily on apple trees throughout the year. One of the most common species found in landscapes is the woolly apple aphid (see photo above). Aphids are present year-round on the roots. The woolly apple aphid is distributed worldwide. If this is the case, sprays of thiacloprid (Calypso) in mid- and late summer, when earwigs are present in the tree, could cause later outbreaks of woolly aphid. Of course, this is not good for the plants themselves. Aphid: Woolly apple aphid (WAA) Printer-friendly version. About the Author Perky mt tamborine 20th August 2010 4:17pm #UserID: 4122 Posts: 11 View All Perky's Edible Fruit Trees A colony appears as a cottony mass generally clustered in wounds and pruning scars on the trunk and branches of the tree. A woolly aphid, or Erisoma lanigerum, is a type of sucking insect that lives on the fluid of plants and trees. When it feeds it injects poisons into the plant that cause galls to form. It is important to scout your own trees to determine when and if a treatment is needed. Calypso may possibly be harmful to earwigs, the most important natural enemy of woolly aphid. Each year any initial stress is magnified as the aphid sucks life from the plant. 1). Yield losses due to infestation of apple tree roots were studied in West Virginia, USA, by Brown et al. What is Woolly Aphid? The best way to tackle aphids on apple trees or aphids on petunias is to reduce the numbers with insecticidal soap while predatory insects take out the population. Suggestions? Woolly aphids are aphids that produce a covering of fluffy white wax. This is achieved by ensuring the soil is moist prior to application (to prevent the product from running away from the treated area) and ensuring the application zone is weed free. The tree probably suffered from drought and the base was heavily shaded. Infestation of woolly aphids. Woolly apple aphid occurred on the apple trees mainly as apterous virginoparae throughout the year and showed a preference for the lower part of the canopy and the trunk. Woolly aphids are tiny grey or black aphids which produce a woolly or cotton-like covering. Changes in orchard rootstocks (M9 and M26) and microclimate (protective canopies) have resulted in more favourable conditions for woolly aphid to prosper. I would annually prune the woolly aphid away and the trees continued to thrive. Cannot get rid of woolly aphid. Blossom wilt (source: ADHB) Blossom wilt is a fungal disease that causes the apple blossoms to shrivel up and turn brown. To obtain efficient woolly apple aphid control, it is important that the active roots take up a sufficient quantity of product. Heavy infestations of crown and root aphids on carrots may weaken tops, causing them to tear off when carrots are harvested. While these insects aren’t likely to cause much damage to your tree on their own, they encourage other infections like canker that can cause more severe issues. Key points. Woolly aphids are sucking insects which can have a big impact on apple trees. Woolly Aphids - Trees Back to Insects-Apples and Pears. 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