Balsam Woolly Aphid in the Southern Appalachians

Fraser fir, in the Southern Appalachians, is being rapidly killed by the balsam woolly aphid. The completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway will open a direct route from infested areas to all remaining uninfested fir areas in North Carolina. Trees are killed when activity of the aphid causes them to produce annual growth rings of compression-like wood. Death of Fraser fir rapidly follows 2 to 5 years of aphid infestation on the bole. Aphids in selected areas and on specimen trees can be controlled for at least two years with a single hydraulic application of 1/8-percent benzene hexachloride water emulsion. Four species of predators obtained from Europe show promise in control.