Giant Willow Aphid has re-emerged this summer

Posted on February 28, 2015

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Giant Willow Aphid has re-emerged this summer as numerous as last season. It has spread its range into Southland. The honeydew crystallises readily on the stems of affected willows when it is not captured by other insects.

Winged adults are more common towards the end of the season. They disperse and set up new colonies. No predators have yet arisen to capitalise on this food source and provide some biological control. However, in one locality in Tararua tuis and bellbirds have been sighted feasting on heavy infestations.