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To: Tree Fruit Growers
From: Doug Pfeiffer Fruit Entomologist
Date sent: June 17, 2000
Woolly Apple Aphid: Many have seen woolly apple aphid (WAA) in greater numbers than usual in recent weeks. It is
common to see WAA colonies in the canopy in June, but if numbers are very high, and especially if arboreal colonies
are seen at other times of the year, it is a sign that colonies could be moving to roots, where they are more
damaging. If WAA needs control, there are several options. Lorsban has been effective, but is not attractive
to many growers because of recent publicity. Thiodan (1 lb 50WP or 2/3 qt 3EC). Malathion is also moderately
effective against WAA.
A critical issue is spray timing. Mid-late June is the time of greatest activity of first instar nymphs (the youngest
stage, and the primary dispersal stage). If populations are very high in the canopy, more crawlers may be available
for root colonization. At low densities, most arboreal colonies are restricted to the trunk and larger branches. At
high densities, colonies may move out onto limbs. So presence of arboreal colonies at unusual times, or distributed
over exterior parts of the canopy, are signs of high populations. If growers have noted such conditions, they may
now consider spraying WAA, since this would be the most effective timing, as crawler move to other parts of the
tree.
We have been using a provisional threshold of 50% of pruning cuts infested with WAA. Unfortunately there is not a
good correlation between the number of aerial colonies and root infestation. One West Virginia study found a $118/acre
loss from root-feeding WAA; tat the time there was only an 11-12% infestation rate of aerial WAA in the orchard. It
is also difficult to control root infestations through aerial sprays.
It is worth considering other aspects of WAA management. Host plant resistance has been established for years for WAA,
using Malling Merton rootstocks, which have inherited resistance from Northern Spy parentage. There are biotypes of
WAA in some parts of the world that can partially overcome this resistance (South Africa and North Carolina); nevertheless,
these rootstocks are still considered resistant. There are also lines being investigated with stronger resistance than
that provided by North Spy lines. Biological control can also be very effective against WAA. The introduction of the
parasite Aphelinus mali was a very successful case. There are also predators of WAA that can be important, such as
syrphid flies. The role of such natural enemies needs to looked at further as our chemical control strategies change.
Outbreaks of aerial WAA can be induced by the use of pyrethroid insecticides.
Lorsban update: It now appears that the agreement posted earlier between Dow AgroSciences and EPA does eliminate post
bloom uses of Lorsban on apple (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/chlorpyrifos/agreement.pdf). Any changes in this
policy will be forwarded in a late message. The change takes effect after December 2000.
Relative control of ERM and TSM: The question has come up several times this spring on the relative degree of control
given by acaricides for twospotted spider mite (TSM) versus European red mite (ERM). In the pest efficacy table given
in the tree fruit spray guide (
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/treefruit/456-419/efficacy.pdf), it can be seen that the
degree of control is sometimes less for TSM than for ERM; TSM are harder to kill. In a year like this, when TSM may
predominate over ERM, it will be important to (1) use the upper end of the recommended rate, and (2) be more careful
in using an action threshold. It is often more difficult to reduce a population that has already reached high levels.
This is especially critical given that Tetranychus species (like TSM) are more damaging than Panonychus species
(like ERM).
References
- Asante, S. K., W. Danthanarayana and S. C. Cairns. 1993. Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of
Eriosoma lanigerum (Homoptera: Aphididae) on apple. Environ. Entomol. 22: 1060-1065.
- Bhardwaj, S., R. Chander and S. P. Bhardwaj. 1995. Movement of woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) (Homoptera:
Pemphigidiae) on apple in relation to weather parameters. Ind. J. Agric Sci. 65: 217-222.
- Brown, M. W. and J. J. Schmitt. 1994. Population dynamics of woolly apple aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in West
Virginia apple orchards. Environ. Entomol. 23: 1182-1188.
- Brown, M. W., J. J. Schmitt, S. Ranger and H., W. Hogmire. 1995. Yield reduction in apple by edaphic woolly apple
aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) populations. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 127-133.
- Mobley, K. N. and R. P. Marini. 1990. Gas exchange characteristics of apple and peach leaves infested by European
red mite and twospotted spider mite. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 115: 757-761.
- Mueller, T. F., L. H. M. Blommers and P. J. M. Mols. 1992. Woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) parasitism by
Aphelinus mali in relation to host stage and host colony size, shape and location. J. Appl. Entomol. 114: 143-154.
- Youngman, R. R., V. P. Jones, S. C. Welter and M. M. Barnes. 1986. Comparison of feeding damage caused by four
tetranychid mite species on gas-exchange rates of almond leaves. Environ. Entomol. 15: 190-193
- Weber, D. C. and M. W. Brown. 1988. Impact of woolly apple aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on the growth of potted
apple trees. J. Econ. Entomol. l 81: 1170-1177.
Take care, Doug
Douglas G. Pfeiffer
Department of Entomology
205C Price Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg VA 24061
ph: (540) 231-4183
fax (540) 231-9131