Fruit Bites April 27 Woolly Apple Aphid

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us once again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about woolly apple aphid!

AW: Native to North America and identified in 1842, woolly apple aphids have spread throughout the US and have adapted to use apple as a primary host, reproducing asexually, so aphids are all females that give live-birth to aphid nymphs.

BL: And, based on the name, I assume they are woolly?

AW: Woolly apple aphids are woolly! Covered in long, white strands, which are waxy, so controlling them is a bit challenging. Plus there are above ground and below ground colonies.

BL: It must be easier to target the above ground aphids?

AW: Yes, after aphids migrate up from the roots around petal fall. Aphids produce honeydew that russets fruit and then move down to the roots, causing severe feeding damage. Check out Valent’s new insecticide, Senstar for woolly apple aphid control.

BL: Good to know, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.