Asian Wooly Hackberry Aphids
Aphids can produce large amounts of sticky honeydew.
Hot Springs, Ark. – Aphids can produce large amounts of sticky honeydew. The tiny droplets fall on leaves and anything below such as bedding plants, outdoor decks, furniture, toys, sidewalks, driveways and automobiles. Sooty mold fungi will grow on the sugary substrate and over time turn leaves, bark and the aforementioned items black. Leaves are not killed but their ability to produce carbohydrate through photosynthesis is greatly reduced.
Aphid populations vary from year to year and they are hard to predict. The weather is one major factor and the availability of predators and parasitoids is another. For whatever combination of factors, this year seems to be a good one for aphids.
Asian wooly hackberry aphid populations are also building in many areas. They only occur on hackberry and sugarberry. Since these are common landscape and forest trees in Arkansas, the Asian woolly hackberry aphid has become a major nuisance pest. Populations had been building since 2001 until a couple years ago when they tended to crash in many areas. They appear to be have spiked up again. It is probably too late to control either of these aphids this year. Next spring, drench around the base of hackberry, sugarberry or crape myrtle with imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control). This systemic insecticide will move up into the plant and to the leaves. It should provide season-long control and may possibly give some level of control through the following spring. On a smaller plant such as crape myrtle that can be easily sprayed, imidacloprid plus beta cyfluthrin (Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Insect Killer) is a good choice.
To contact County Agent Jimmy Driggers, call 623-6841, or email him at jdriggers@uada.edu.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
Master Gardener Information
If you have an interest in gardening you’re welcome to attend the monthly Master Gardener meeting which is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1pm at the Elk’s Lodge. They’re open to the public and guests are always welcome. For information call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Allen Bates at abates@uada.edu.
EHC Information
Would you be interested in joining an Extension Homemakers Club (EHC)? How about forming a new club in your community? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For more information, email our County Agent at jvincent@uada.edu.
4-H Information
If you’re between the ages of 5 and 19, you can join 4-H! We have a club for you, or you and a group of friends can organize your own club. For more information call the Extension office at 623-6841, or email lbates@uada.edu.
By Allen Bates
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Allen Bates
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
236 Woodbine Hot Springs AR 71901
(501) 623-6841
abates@uada.edu
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your Garland County Extension Office (501-623-6841) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.