Picea: Spruce Aphid and Green Spruce Aphid

Problem
Many of the older needles turn brown and drop. Only the newest needles remain green. The tree looks bare and sickly. Tiny (1/8 inch), green soft-bodied insects may be seen feeding on the needles.

Analysis
(Elatobium abietinum and Cinara fornacula)

These aphids may be very destructive to spruce in the North. The aphids appear in early spring, around February. They are extremely prolific and populations can rapidly build up to damaging numbers during March and April. Damage occurs when the aphids suck the juices from the spruce needles. They usually remain on a single needle until it is almost ready to drop. By the time the needles turn brown and the damage is noticeable, the insect population has declined. It may take a heavily damaged tree several years to recover and replace its lost foliage.

Solution
By the time the damage is noticed, it is usually too late to treat the tree this year. Spray with an insecticide containing acephate or diazinon, or an insecticidal soap the following February or March. Repeat the spray 10 days later.