Most spruce trees are damaged by one of two species of gall-forming adelgids (aphids); the Eastern spruce gall adelgid, Adelges abietis, and the Cooley spruce gall adelgid, A. cooleyi. These soft-bodied insects feed by sucking plant sap from needles. They are small (1/16 inch) and not readily seen, but their feeding on young plant tissue causes the formation of obvious cone-like growths called galls, which stunt and eventually kill the twigs. These insects are not a serious pest under forest conditions as they injure only a small portion of the foliage. At times, they disfigure ornamentals, and continued infestations may weaken trees and make them susceptible to attack by other insect pests and disease-producing organisms.
Damage
Feeding by the adelgids produces a characteristic conelike gall. The galls’ shape, size and position on the twig aid in identifying the species involved. Galls interfere with the natural formation of twigs and cause curling, stunting and the eventual death of new growth. Heavy infestations give the trees a ragged appearance and destroy their beauty. Continuous infestations can seriously devitalize trees and render them more susceptible to attack by other organisms. Some trees have a natural resistance or immunity to these adelgids, and in spite of the presence of the insects, the galls never completely develop or may not form at all.
When galls are first produced, they are green, soft, and made up of many individual cells that are inhabited by the developing adelgids. The galls mature by midsummer when the cells open and the adelgids emerge. The empty galls soon dry, become brittle and turn a light to dark brown.
Eastern spruce gall adelgid feeding causes the formation of pineapple-like galls about 1/2 to 1 inch long at the base of twigs. Twig growth is normal when the gall is still green. The twig dies after the gall matures.
The Cooley spruce gall adelgid produces elongated, often curved, galls about 1 to 3 inches long that usually involve the entire twig.
Description
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid, Adelges abietis L.
The Eastern spruce is an introduced species that commonly infests Norway spruce and is also found on white, red, black and Englemann spruce. Only females of this adelgid are known to occur. The adelgids overwinter as immature insects (nymphs) on twigs near the terminal buds and resume feeding in the spring. The adelgids mature in early May and produce a conspicuous, waxy cover under which they lay their eggs. The eggs hatch in approximately one week, and the young insects begin to feed on the buds that had been fed upon by the overwintering forms. Continued feeding induces abnormal growth of plant cells and progressive enlargement of the bases of infected needles. Eventually, the enlarging needles coalesce and form the characteristic pineapple-shaped gall within which the insect lives and grows. Galls protect the adelgid from most insecticide sprays. The adelgids and galls mature in midsummer. The galls split and the mature adelgids emerge, develop wings, fly to the needles of the same or some other spruce, and lay eggs at the base of the new growth. The eggs soon hatch and the immature forms that emerge will feed until the onset of cold weather, overwinter at the needle bases and then resume their life cycle the following spring.
Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid, Adelges cooleyi Gill
The Cooley spruce gall adelgid is a native insect most commonly infesting blue spruce but also found on Stika and Englemann spruce as well as Douglas fir.
Only females of this species are known. Their life cycle is similar to that of the Eastern spruce gall adelgid with a few minor exceptions. The feeding that triggers or stimulates gall formation apparently occurs at a later time than that of the Eastern spruce gall adelgid and, hence, the difference in the timing of spring treatments for the control of each species.
The Cooley spruce gall adelgid will frequently utilize Douglas fir, if present, as an alternate host. Adults may migrate to Douglas fir in late summer and lay eggs. These eggs hatch and the immature forms pass the winter there. In the spring they resume feedings, mature and lay eggs. These hatch and develop into adults that may remain on the Douglas fir or fly back to spruce to lay eggs for the next over-wintering generation.
Galls are not produced on Douglas fir. Injury appears as a yellowing and kinking of the affected needles. In severe infestations, partial to complete needle fall may occur on injured terminals.
Control of Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Spruce)
Hand pick green galls when first noted and destroy. Use horticultural oil in mid- to late April just before buds begin to break for dormant spray. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap in late July to mid-August after galls have opened but before adelgids move to alternate hosts.
Control of Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Douglas fir)
Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Spray in early May and again in late July to early August.
Control of Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid (Spruce)
Hand pick galls before August and destroy. Use horticultural oil for dormant spray in mid-April to early May just before buds begin to break. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap in mid- to late-September when insects emerge from galls and the majority of galls are green.
Several grades of horticultural oil are available. Some are strictly limited to dormant use; others can be applied to actively-growing plants in spring and summer. Summer treatment can be used on most trees, but check the label to be sure. Never spray when trees are under stress (i.e., moisture stress) or when temperatures are expected to be 80 degrees F or above. Under adverse spraying conditions, such as high heat and relative humidity, sensitive species may suffer from phytotoxicity. Spruce and Douglas fir may show sensitivity to horticultural oils. Glaucus evergreens (those with a bluish bloom) may temporarily lose their blue color if oil is applied, and the natural bloom may not return for one to two years.
Please contact your local Cooperative Extension Center for additional chemical and other management options or visit the on-line guides of Cornell University and Penn State. Note: This information may not apply to your state or other geographical area.
Updated by Donna Ellis, Senior Extension Educator, UConn IPM Program, 2011.
By Carl A. Salsedo, Cooperative Extension Educator, Horticulture and Edmond L. Marrotte, Consumer Horticulturist.
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