Photo by: Steven Katovich, Bugwood.org
The larvae of this insect look like a caterpillar. They eat the needles of Spruce causing damage. They have yellowish bodies and yellow/brown heads. The new needles are attacked first. They are chewed down almost to the base before the insect moves on to older needles. A severe infestation, lasting for 3 or more years [...]
In Calgary, young spruce trees are the typical host for the white pine weevil. This weevil is a small brown beetle with a long ‘snout‘. Although the adult beetle is seldom noticed, the effects of the grubs, feeding at the tops of spruce becomes apparent in mid-summer as the leader dies. Key Points Damage usually [...]
Spider mites become active in mid-May and begin feeding on the needles of spruce. These mites are easily moved to other trees by wind or by hitching a ride on the bodies of birds or other animals. Infestations are more likely during dry conditions. There are many generations of mites born each year. Key Points [...]
The poplar bud gall mite is a tiny mite that would never be noticed except for the galls (swellings) it forms on poplar twigs. These tiny mites are eight-legged creatures related to spiders which feed first on leaf buds. While feeding, these mites stimulate the poplar to produce a hard lumpy gall that encases the [...]
It may not look like an insect, but the pine needle scale is one species in a group of tiny insects called armoured scales. Beneath the scale-like shell the tiny insect sucks the sap from needles. Oddly, pine needle scale is more common in Calgary on spruce than pines. Once on a suitable needle, the [...]
Oyster shell scale on Cotoneaster
This insect has become a major issue in Calgary over the past number of years. Oystershell scale is hardly recognizable as an insect. On close inspection it looks like a tiny oyster shell. It is one species of a group called armoured scales. Oystershell scale can attack fruit trees, lilacs, ash and elm but in [...]
