CLOSED: Douglas fir bug infestation

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
SteveSi Fremont, CA Jun 08, 2013

My douglas fir is infested with these bugs. Does anyone know what these are?
I live in northern california.

Thumbnail by SteveSi
Post #9551376
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 08, 2013

These are aphids, but I cannot be more specific from this image. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/forest-grasslandhealth/?cid=fsbdev2_038413 for some possibilities.

Post #9551492
Quote
SteveSi Fremont, CA Jun 08, 2013

Thanks! There seem to be 3 varieties. One as the first picture that I attached, then there are ones with two yellow dots, and a 3rd with wings. I attached another picture of a dead one with the two yellow dots. They seem to be anywhere from 2mm-7mm in length. The ones with wings are longer, because of their wings.

Last summer, and this summer the tree has been dripping an excessive amount of runny sap(honey dew?). I also see quite a few ants, and pincer bugs in the tree, as well as some spiders. Last year the tree was swarming with yellow jackets, but I haven't seen them this year.



Thumbnail by SteveSi
Post #9551553
Quote
greenthumb99 Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a) Jun 09, 2013

As for the ones with wings, they are probably not a different "variety". From Wikipedia: "When host plant quality becomes poor or conditions become crowded, some aphid species produce winged offspring, "alates", that can disperse to other food sources."

Post #9551807
Quote
Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 09, 2013

About all that I can add at this point is that they could be one of the giant conifer aphids (Cinara sp.) - http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/01/26/conifer-aphids/

Post #9551861
Quote
SteveSi Fremont, CA Jun 09, 2013

Thanks for the help!

Post #9552433
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP