Pest description and damage These aphids are grayish or greenish and prefer to feed on new plant growth. A Spiny Witch Hazel Gall Aphid in Allegany Co., Maryland (5/14/2015). The 1st generation, also known as “the gall makers” or “the stem mothers”, are all-female and hatch from “winter eggs” on witch-hazel branches. These hollow, spiny, deformed bud galls occur singly or in clus-ters on witch hazel, Hamamelis vir ini'ana. and birch (Betula spp.) 2-3. Hamamelistes spinosus is a species of insects with 137 observations Spiny Witch Hazel Galls. At this time of year, the gall looks woody. The galls are caused by the Witch Hazel Cone Gall Aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis). Aphids are responsible for the formation of two different galls (abnormal plant growths caused by insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses) on Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana).A cone-shaped gall forms on leaves and a second type of gall covered with spiny points grows from branches. Removing the nest by tearing out the web Includes manzanita leaf gall aphid (Tamalia coweni). The galls are green tinged with red. The spiny witch hazel gall (SpWHG), causes a spiky ¾” oval growth on a stem. Spray with horticultural oil for some control. The galls are green tinged with red. Dear Gene: River birches can be attacked by an insect known as the spiny witch hazel gall aphid. x Copy guide taxon to... You can copy this taxon into another guide. Photo by Andy Gougherty. Galls can be caused by feeding or egg-laying of insects and mites. The dusky birch sawfly feeds on various species of birch, but prefers gray birch. Eastern tent caterpillar feeds on Witch-Hazel leaves. Contact Us. These conical galls occur singly or in groups on the upper leaf Spiny Witch Hazel Galls. Foliage. The unusual leaf distortion damage caused by the spiny witchhazel gall aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus) is now appearing on river birch in southwest Ohio. 103 Entomology Hall Lincoln, NE 68583-0816. The galls are green tinged with red. They alternate between witch-hazel (Hamamelis spp.) Witch Hazel Conie Gall. Aphid. Spiny Witch Hazel Gall Aphid in Carroll Co., Maryland (8/17/2014). MD aphids river birch tree pest insects and mites spiney witchhazel gall aphid honeydew from aphids birch dripping clear substance river birch dripping spiny witch hazel gall aphid … It starts as a green and fleshy projection that hardens into a brown, spiky object by winter. This aphid is a common pest on birch, particularly river birch. Found in buds, the Spiny witch-hazel leaf gall houses developing aphids inside of it. Kingdom Animalia > Phylum Arthropoda > Class Insecta > Order Hemiptera > Family Aphididae > Genus Hamamelistes [Go to Species Page] Legend. Both this aphid and the previous one migrate to birch for part of their life cycle. Color: green, turning brown. The spiny Witch-Hazel gall aphid causes galls 3/4-inch-long with long, coarse spines. Spiny Witch Hazel Gall, created by another aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus). Spray with horticultural oil for some control. The specific type of aphid that feeds on river birch foliage is known as the spiny witch-hazel gall aphid. Spiny Witch Hazel Gall Aphid Photographed along the Ouachita National Trail, Ouachita National Forest, Perry County, Arkansas This plant also produces Spiny Witch-hazel Galls. Leafspot on birch The full … Aphid feeding on river birches causes the leaves to take on a reddish coloration. 5. Horned gall aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis) is a rather ugly blemish attacking the leaves and stems of the Witch Hazel. The aphid, through saliva injects a chemical into the plant that forms the narrow cone-shaped gall. Woolly Birch Aphid; June 22, 2005: Woolly aphids are being found on river birch in northern Illinois. The spiny Witch-Hazel gall aphid causes galls 3/4-inch-long with long, coarse spines. It has a complicated life cycle in that it alternates between two hosts: birch (Betula) and witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) 402-472-4687. entwebpage@unl.edu. An aphid crawls into a leaf bud and secretes an enzyme. Fig. Aphids are responsible for the formation of two different galls (abnormal plant growths caused by insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses) on Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana).A cone-shaped gall forms on leaves and a second type of gall covered with spiny … The witch-hazel cone gall aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis) is a minuscule insect, a member of the aphid superfamily, whose presence on a witch-hazel plant is easily recognizable by a conical gall structure, green at first, it turns bright red. If you are one of the editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it will only copy the licensed content. The SpWHG gallmaker is an aphid that divides its life cycle between witch hazel and river birch. View All Images. ).Aphid feeding causes the leaves to thicken and form bright red galls. Control is generally not suggested. Although there is no accepted common name for Hamamelistes spinosus, it could be called the spiny witch-hazel gall aphid or woolly birch aphid for its appearance on the hosts that it attacks.. On birch, this insect overwinters on the bark as a hibernating female, sometimes called a “pupa.” 4-9. Spiny Witch-hazel Gall Aphid Hamamelistes spinosus feeding along the edges of leaves. 28-84. 10-27. Research Publications on UNL Digital Commons; These aphids are found on the underside of the leaf, which is … Size: length 1 cm., diameter 5 mm,. Galls are abnormal plant growths caused by insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses. There is a cone gall aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis) that can cause unsightly galls on the leaves, but are usually not a significant problem. Insect galls rarely affect plant health and their numbers vary from season to season. Both this aphid and the previous one migrate to birch for part of their life cycle. While these galls can be numerous, they are not really harming the plant. An aphid crawls into a leaf bud and secretes an enzyme. Spiny Witch Hazel Gall Aphid Hamamelistes spinosus Shimer, 1867 . These aphids can also be found on birch, where they are known as the River birch aphid.Aphids from birch trees migrate to witch-hazel to create the next generation of aphids that will emerge the next spring. The irritation causes the plant to produce the gall around the aphid. Figure 3. The aphid reproduces within the gall and the gall provides a food source for the young. I find insects that cause galls to be really interesting. Use of images featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer. Both this aphid and the previous one migrate to birch for part of their life cycle. Both this aphid and the previous one migrate to birch for part of their life cycle. Spiny witch-hazel gall aphids have an interesting life cycle. Ant near the fruit, and that could be a winged-form aphid on the gall. Eastern tent caterpillar feeds on witch-hazel … Spray with dormant oil before the plants begin to grow in the spring. trees. The spiny witch-hazel bud gall aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus) is named for the appearance of the gall the plant produces from bud tissue in response to being used as a home by the developing aphids. I took a leaf to the nursery where I bought the tree and they sold me an insecticide to spray on it. Galls on Witch-Hazel Leaves The witch-hazel leaf gall aphid, Hormaphis hamamelidis, is most often noticed as the aleurodiform (whitefly form) on birch leaves in late summer or fall. Its feeding causes the characteristic gall to form. The aphid produces raised ribs or "corrugations" on the upper leaf surface that match deep furrows between the … This plant also produces Spiny Witch-hazel Galls. The aphid reproduces within the gall and the gall provides a food source for the young. Photo by Jim Brighton. The gall, which is pale green, is unsightly but rarely a serious threat to the health of the plant. Poplar twiggall aphid Poplar vagabond aphid Spiny witch-hazel gall aphid Sugarbeet root aphid Witch-hazel leaf gall aphid. This gall, rich in nutrients, provides both food and shelter for the female aphid. There is also a spiny leaf gall aphid (Hamamelistes spinosus), that can cause some unsightly spiny galls on the foliage. This is not a disease but is caused by an insect called spiny witch hazel gall aphid. The spiny witch-hazel gall aphid causes galls 3/4 inch long with long, coarse spines. The eggs are laid on witch hazel, and when it hatches, the aphid goes looking for a flower bud to invade. Branches may be stripped of foliage and small trees may be defoliated. There are a couple of insects associated with the witch hazel, but none are serious. The irritation causes the plant to produce the gall around the aphid. Spiny Witch-hazel Gall. 4. Spray with horticultural oil for some control. There are many different types, usually host-specific, with various shapes and sizes of galls formed. The mother aphid actually caused the plant to form the gall around her and now she is inside, protected, feeding and reproducing. The photo below is of Witch-hazel cone gall, caused by an aphid bearing the same name. The manzanita leafgall aphid feeds on the leaves of kinnikinnick and other manzanita species (Arctostaphylos spp. The galls are green tinged with red. Hormnaphis hamamaelidis (Fitch) Aphid. Each year, this Aphid goes through seven generations between spring and fall and only a couple are actually found on Witch Hazel. The host plant is witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Spines tapering, length 3 mm. It is "Systemic Insect Killer" by Ortho. In late summer, the whitefly-like aphids give birth to nymphs that develop wings. Eastern tent caterpillar feeds on Witch-Hazel leaves. 402-472-2123. Hormaphis hamamelidis, the aphid that causes witch-hazel cone gall 1. In the spring, this aphid feeds on river birch leaves. Related Links. Interesting that the spiny galls run larger than the plant’s actual fruit capsules. The spiny Witch-Hazel gall aphid causes galls 3/4-inch-long with long, coarse spines. The aphids become active in the spring when the leaf buds are opening. The aphids are found on the undersides of the leaves, caked into the corrugations with a white granular material. My river birch has an aphid and after doing some research, it is apparently Spiny Witch-hazel Gall Aphids. Witch Hazel Cone Gall, created by a aphid (Hormaphis hamamelidis). And they sold me an insecticide to spray on it time of year, the whitefly-like aphids give birth nymphs. 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