Christmas tree (Spruce)-Spruce aphid

Elatobium abietinum

Pest description and crop damage Small, dull-green aphid causes extreme needle drop. Aphids appear early in the season (fall to winter months) and may increase rapidly during March and April.

See table:

Management-biological control

This aphid eludes most predators except the brown lacewing.

Management-chemical control

  • azadirachtin (AzaDirect and others)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic production.
  • bifenthrin (OnyxPro, Sniper and others)-Restricted use pesticide. (Group 3)
  • cyantraniliprole (Mainspring GNL)-(Group 28)
  • cyclaniliprole (Group 28) + flonicamid (Group 29)-Pradia
  • dinotefuran (Safari 20 SG)- (Group 4)
  • flupyradifurone (Altus)-(Group 4)
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro, Prey 1.6 and others)-(Group 4)
  • insecticidal soaps and oils (Ecotec, M-pede, Ultra-Pure Oil and others)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic production. Note: Some oils may discolor blue spruce.
  • pymetrozine (Endeavor and others)-(Group 9)
  • spirotetramat (Ultor, Movento)-(Group 23)
  • sulfoxaflor (Transform WG)-(Group 4c)
  • thiamethoxam (Flagship 25 WG)-(Group 4)