Infestation of Insects on my trees

Last post 20-08-2012 10:04 PM by Beespoke. 4 replies.

• 14/08/2012 02:08 PM
  ryanwelsh Location: Kent Joined on: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact P8141120a.jpg I have a mass of these grey insects on my garden tree and am not sure how to get rid of them as it would appear the tree is not enjoying their company. I dont know what type of tree it is as I have just moved in. Please see the attached images PLEASE HELP!! Thanks Ryan

• 14/08/2012 02:24 PM

  In reply to

  Pesty Location: At a desk Joined on: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 324

  Reply | Contact Hi Ryanwelsh  That’s a bark aphid (same family as greenfly/blackfly etc) and the biggest aphids you’ll find in the UK– Basically two common species of bark aphid in Britain one on Pinus and one on Willow (tree ident sorted?). As the name suggests the aphids live on the bark and they feed on sap. They don’t usually cause much effect on vigour of the tree but can produce lots of honeydew and you get the associated sooty mould (very sticky and messy). They can also cause some alarm as they seem to have the habit of leaving the host tree on mass sometimes – walking onto many other objects and plants.  On large trees not much you can do – as to control you need a good overall coverage with insecticide. On smaller trees you can spray but as I say they don’t harm the tree that much  (synthetics likely to work best against such a large aphid, organics products may also work – but repeat application even more likely to be needed than with a synthetic product).   'Trying is the first step to failure' H.J.Simpson

• 14/08/2012 02:33 PM	In reply to
  ryanwelsh Location: Kent Joined on: 14 Aug 2012 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact Wow....such a quick response....thank you! Is it just coincedance that all of the leaves have started falling off? (dont think it is a willow tree, it had lots of pretty pink leaves on it)

• 14/08/2012 02:40 PM	In reply to
  Pesty Location: At a desk Joined on: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 324	Reply | Contact Yep coincidence – leaf drop is something else – indicates root problems could be a root disease or waterlogging (also caused by drought but unlikely this year). Perhaps a leaf disease, mildews can sometimes cause leaf drop. Basically not a pest after which I get a bit stuck.   'Trying is the first step to failure' H.J.Simpson

• 20/08/2012 10:04 PM	In reply to
  Beespoke Location: Cumbria Joined on: 05 May 2011 Posts: 29	Reply | Contact Hi Ryan can you send a pic of the leaves please?  Just want to see if I can ident the tree first. Thanks