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Rogues' Gallery of Post-Harvest Pests

Cinara Aphids

Cinara aphids are large brown to black aphids. They feed on almost all species of conifers and are found throughout North America. They are common on Virginia pine and white pine. Most of those trees are treated in the fall before harvest for this pest. But Cinara aphids on firs are rare.

Cinara aphids on fir live in colonies that are often cared for by ants. Sometimes called the gypsies of the insect world, they move from tree to tree so that insect predators can't find them. The colonies are sometimes on the tree top where the grower can see them and treat affected trees. Unfortuately, in the fall they are more often hidden on one or more tree branches down inside the tree where they are hidden. Aphids remain in trees when the trees are cut. When the tree is moved to warmer loactions, the aphids start reproducing - having live young. Numbers can build rapidly in the house!

If you're used to seeing aphids on your roses, you might be surprised by the appearance of Cinara aphids. They are much larger and brown to black. Many people have mistaken Cinara aphids for ticks. Even pesticide applicators have done so in the past. Ticks have never been found on Christmas trees at any time of year and it's simple to tell them apart.

Cinara Aphids	Ticks
Aphids have 6 legs. They are true insects. Aphids don't bite. Aphids feed on plants. Cinara aphids won't feed on your house plants. Aphids do not carry diseases. Aphids may be present as eggs or adult forms.	Adult ticks have 8 legs. They are a member of the spider family. Ticks feed on mammals. Ticks may carry diseases to people and pets. Ticks have not been found on Christmas trees in North Carolina.

Spruce Spider Mite

The spruce spider mite is a common pest of Fraser fir in western North Carolina. Growers commonly scout for and treat for this pest. Spider mites lay eggs that spend the winter on the foliage and hatch come spring. Infrequently, when the fall is warm and dry, mites are still active when trees are cut. They continue to lay eggs and reproduce on the cut tree. Spider mites can cause small red stains on carpets, ornaments, or furnishings. Their feeding may also cause the needles to fall prematurely.

Spider mites are very small. They may appear like dark-red dots when shaken out of the tree. With a magnifying lens you can see the eight legs characteristic of mites.

Spider mites can't live in your house. Once the tree is removed, they will die out because there is nothing left to feed on. They do not bite, nor do they cause any diseases. Detecting the mite early is the best way to prevent damage to furnishings.

Praying Mantis

Praying mantids are a well-known insect predator. Their egg cases are occasionally found in Fraser fir Christmas trees. Females lay between 200-400 eggs in the fall in a frothy liquid which hardens, sticking to the branch. Once warmed in the home, unfortunately, the eggs hatch and the tiny mantids can invade your home. Again, these insects do not bite or carry disease. If the egg case can be located, remove it from the tree and put it outside. Small mantids that have escaped can be vacuumed up or caught and released outside.

Prepared by Jill Sidebottom and Jeff Owen
Area Christmas Tree Specialists
NCSU College of Natural Resources
NC Cooperative Extension Service

Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Email: jill_sidebottom@ncsu.edu
Email: jeff_owen@ncsu.edu

NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension Christmas Tree Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/Christmastrees/

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Created October 2000 ~ Updated November 8, 2007

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