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Fir > Needles > Distorted or deformed needles

1 of 3
  • Balsam twig aphid 1

    Credit: Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

  • Balsam twig aphid 2

    Credit: J. Hahn, University of Minnesota

  • Balsam twig aphid 3

    Credit: J. Hahn, University of Minnesota

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowBalsam twig aphid
Mindarus abietinus

  • Twisted and curled needles at the end of shoots
  • Damaged needles may be whitish or silvery
  • Feeding produces honeydew which can glue needles together
  • Damage is mostly cosmetic
  • More information on Balsam twig aphid...
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  • Growth regulator herbicide damage 1

    Credit: J. Albers, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources

  • Growth regulator herbicide damage 2

    Credit: M. Grabowski, University of Minnesota

  • Growth regulator herbicide damage 3

    Credit: M. Grabowski, University of Minnesota

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowGrowth regulator herbicide damage
(e.g. 2,4D or MCPP)

  • Shoots may wilt or curl
  • Needles stunted, twisted or misshapen but remain green
  • If damage is severe, needles turn brown and fall off, branches may die
  • Symptoms occur a few days to several weeks after herbicide application
  • Dead or dying weeds expressing similar symptoms may be present nearby
  • More information on Growth regulator herbicide damage...
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  • Balsam needle midge 1

    Credit: Ronald S. Kelley, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Bugwood.org

  • Balsam needle midge 2

    Credit: Ronald S. Kelley, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Bugwood.org

  • Balsam needle midge 3

    Credit: Steven Katovich, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

  • - CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE -

green arrowBalsam needle midge
Paradiplosis tumifex

  • Galls appear in June as swelling near the base of individual needles
  • Galls initially green, and can turn needles yellow by mid-summer
  • Infested needles can die and drop off in autumn
  • Thin foliage, especially in upper crown; particularly apparent in small trees
  • Adults are tiny, orange and mosquito-like
  • More information on Balsam needle midge...

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