Knowledgebase
Ponderosa Pine Infestation #876694
Asked July 10, 2024, 2:30 PM EDT
Hello, one of my Ponderosa Pine has a white, chalky substance on several pine cones and needles. I found a few insects near these areas and was wondering if they could be aphids and whether they will harm the tree, requiring spraying. I've attached a photo of the tree for your examination.
Thank you.
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Daniel,
I have received your request but I am unable to open up the photos. Please resend them to us.
Carol K
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From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 2:07 PM
To: CSUmg2 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Question assigned to you (#0146612)
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the El Paso County technology network. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Please call IT Customer Support at 520-6355 if you are unsure of the integrity of this message.
Hi El Paso County,
Question #0146612 has been assigned to you by CSU E.
Ponderosa Pine Infestation
Hello, one of my Ponderosa Pine has a white, chalky substance on several pine cones and needles. I found a few insects near these areas and was wondering if they could be aphids and whether they will harm the tree, requiring spraying. I've attached a photo of the tree for your examination.
Thank you.
From: DANIEL WHITE
Submitted: 07/10/2024 2:30 PM
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On Jul 10, 2024, at 3:16 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Dear DANIEL, here's the response to your question:
Hi Daniel,
I have received your request but I am unable to open up the photos. Please resend them to us.
Carol K
____________________________________________________________________________
Our in-person help desk is now open for the season! You may visit us at 17 N. Spruce St. on Mondays or Wednesdays from 9-12 or 1-4. You can also call us at<personal data hidden> or email questions anytime to <personal data hidden>.
Join us for our NEW After Hours Gardening Answers on Zoom! You can talk to us on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6pm via Zoom and show us your plants for real-time gardening help. Sign up using this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcodOyoqz4uE9ztaaiepXsk9LuucdEcWZiF#/registration
For more information, follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC, or check out our events and workshops here: https://elpaso.extension.colostate.edu//classes-and-workshops/
Colorado State University is an equal access and equal opportunity employer. Extension programs are available to all without d?iscrimination. Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating.
Your email will be added to our email list unless you notify us otherwise. We do not share our email list.
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 2:07 PM
To: CSUmg2 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Question assigned to you (#0146612)
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the El Paso County technology network. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Please call IT Customer Support at 520-6355 if you are unsure of the integrity of this message.
Hi El Paso County,
Question #0146612 has been assigned to you by CSU E.
Ponderosa Pine Infestation
Hello, one of my Ponderosa Pine has a white, chalky substance on several pine cones and needles. I found a few insects near these areas and was wondering if they could be aphids and whether they will harm the tree, requiring spraying. I've attached a photo of the tree for your examination.
Thank you.
From: DANIEL WHITE
Submitted: 07/10/2024 2:30 PM
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Hi Daniel,
Thanks for resending your photo. Looking at it, I believe it might be a type of scale but I'd like to get some additional information to be sure.
I have a few additional questions:
- Are you noticing any needles dropping or twigs dying back?
- How long have you been seeing this white substance on your tree?
- Do you have a photo of the insects you saw nearby? If not, are you able to describe them?
Thanks,
Katie G.
Colorado Master Gardener
Good Morning Daniel,
Thank you for the additional information. I have reviewed the email chain and believe that an adelgid aphid is causing the waxy substance on your pine needles and cones. This woolly aphid is called the pine bark adelgid, Pineus strobi, It can also be called the pine bark aphid and the pine leaf adelgid, Pineus pinifoliae,. The damage is seen as white cottony tufts on the bark, branches, cones, needles or twigs. Healthy plants can tolerate moderate populations which are unlikely to seriously harm trees.
There is not a lot of information on the web describing this insect. I did find some useful information on the University of California UC IPM site which I have included below.
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/adelgids.html
I am also including a Woolly Pine Adelgids page from our book, 'Insects and Diseases of Woody Plants in Colorado'. It can be found as an attachment.
If you would like conformation that this is the insect on your tree, you can submit a sample to the Colorado State University Plant Diagnostic clinic. There is a charge for this service.
https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/plantclinic/
Regards,
Barb S.
El Paso County County Colorado Master Gardener
