The wooly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) – pest management

The wooly aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum, is native to North America and was accidentally introduced to Europe in the late 18th century, being observed for the first time in Switzerland in 1870.

Description. It has an oval, spherical body, 1.7-2.5 mm long, dark brown, covered with an abundant waxy secretion, which forms a white filamentous coating. The larvae differ from the adults by their smaller size. This insect forms on the branches, trunk, and sometimes on the roots, colonies, characterized by the presence of a white-cottony layer, the attacked trees being easily recognizable.

Biology and ecology

The wooly aphid is a polyvoltine species, with 8-12 generations per year, having a complete cycle only in the place of origin, where the host plant is the American elm and the secondary host is the apple tree. It overwinters as a female or adult larva, in the exfoliated bark and in the upper part of the roots. They become active towards the end of March. Females do not require fertilization, giving birth to more than 100 young larvae.

Attacked plants and damages. It is a very dangerous pest in regions with humid climates. It prefers the apple tree and in very rare cases, it attacks the pear or quince tree. It develops massive colonies on stems, branches, shoots, and roots, sometimes on the fruit stalk and even on the roots near the area between the roots and the stem.
Due to the stings produced, the tissues hypertrophy and swellings appear, which gradually enlarge and take the form of tumors or nodules. Strong attacks cause cracks that can be infected with pathogenic fungi. In the case of repeated attacks, the trees gradually dry out.

Control. To control the overwintering larvae, it is recommended to carry out treatments during the dormancy period.

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During the vegetative growth period, treatments with specific insecticides are carried out.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

It is also recommended to use an adjuvant.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
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