Christmas Tree Aphids
Insects that live in christmas trees coniferous trees attract a variety of small insects that may be visible only in large numbers.
Christmas tree aphids. Aphids are typically more of a problem when plants are fertilized excessively with nitrogen fertilizer. Christmas tree farms beautify the landscape prevent soil erosion and preserve open space. However cinara aphids can promote the growth of sooty mold a black fungus on the foliage growing on the honeydew excrement produced by the aphids. First if you spray while the tree is lit the aerosol might ignite on the heated lights if you have old style incandescent bulbs and set it on fire.
Although that does get rid of the aphids the ensuing conflagration could incinerate the tree possibly the gifts and the tiny village under the tree or worse possibly your house. Aphids are common pests of evergreen trees and the warm conditions of your home may cause overwintering aphid eggs to hatch. However bringing the tree indoors can cause eggs to hatch before the tree is taken out of your home. Abietis are large dark aphids typically feeding on upper stems and tended by ants.
As christmas trees near harvest and get larger their nitrogen needs become greater and it is more important to maintain a good green color. Balsam twig aphids are gray green and lay eggs which hatch in the spring. It depends on the bug. In most instances cinara aphids have no apparent effect on fraser fir christmas trees.
These insects are brown or black with large bodies and feed on the sap from conifer trees. Some conifers host adelgids which produce cottony secretions over their bodies. Most growers treat christmas trees for aphids before harvest but some colonies hide in branches making. Occidentalis feed at the base of needles on 1 year and older foliage often in the lower portion of the tree and may be quite damaging.
Scale insects and aphids are sap feeding insects that can be found on the trunk limbs and the woody parts of the tree. Aphids are soft bodied insects about. This is because the added nutrition is also a nutritional bonus for the pest. Read more about the environmental benefits of real christmas trees.
Real christmas trees are grown on farms just like any other agricultural crop. They also provide homes for bird habitat insects and wildlife. Pest description and crop damage c. But experts say little creepy crawlies called aphids like to hang out on christmas trees and if you have a tree in your home they might be on yours right now.