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THE LIFE HISTORY, FOLIAGE DAMAGE, AND CONTROL OF THE BALSAM TWIG APHID, MINDARUS ABIETINUS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE), IN FRASER FIR CHRISTMAS TREE PLANTATIONS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA1, 2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Wesley A. Nettleton
Affiliation:
USDA-Forest Service, Pineville, Louisiana 71360
Fred P. Hain
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27650

Abstract

Mindarus abietinus Koch causes leaf-curl and shoot-stunting of the new foliage of Fraser fir in North Carolina. Although this injury usually has a minimal impact on the trees' health and vigor, the injury can reduce the aesthetic quality and hence the marketability of Christmas trees. The overwintering egg gives rise to the fundatrix in late March. In May and June the fundatriginia and sexuparae appear. In June the sexuales are produced and by late June oviposition has occurred. The egg remains dormant until the following spring. The within-crown distribution of the various life stages is presented. Most of the injury can be minimized by maintaining vigorous growth, and timing necessary insecticide applications. Under most circumstances chemical control should only be considered during the last year or two before harvest. Dimethoate, pirimicarb, acephate, or chlorpyrifos will provide adequate control after egg hatch but before bud break.

Résumé

Mindarus abietinus Koch cause l'enroulement du feuillage et le rabougrissement des pousses nouvelles d'Abies fraseri en Caroline du Nord. Quoique ces dommages aient peu de conséquences sur la santé et la vigueur des arbres, la qualité esthétique et la valeur marchande des arbres de Noël s'en trouvent amoindries. L'oeuf d'hivernement donne naissance à la fondatrice à la fin mars. En mai et juin, les fundatrigeniae et les sexuparae apparaissent. En juin les sexués sont produits et la ponte a déjà eu lieu fin juin. La distribution intra-cime des divers stades du cycle est décrite. Le gros du dommage peut être minimisé eh assurant une croissance vigoureuse, et par l'application des traitements insecticides indispensables au moment opportun. Dans la majorité des cas, les traitements insecticides ne devraient être envisagés que pour une ou deux années précédant la récolte. Le diméthoate, le pirimicarbe, l'acéphate et le chlorpyrifos sont efficaces après l'éclosion des oeufs mais avant le débourrement des bourgeons.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1982

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