Dreyfusia piceae (Ratzeburg, 1844)

balsam woolly aphid

on Abies

Abies procera (from Houard, 1908a)

Abies procera, UK © Bob Dransfield & Bob Brightwell, InfluentialPoints

an aphid after removal of most of the wax wool

gall

No host plant alternation. The feeding activities of the aphids have hardly any recognisable effect on Abies alba. In other, exotic, species strong swellings and malformations of the branches are may occur, mainly near the ends of the shoots (“gout disease”). The buds are swollen and stand in dense groups. The aphids are small, blackish brown, with white wax; they are not attended by ants.

host plants

Pinaceae, monophagous

Abies alba, amabilis, balsamea, borisii-regis, cephalonica, cilicica, concolor, fraseri, grandis, lasiocarpa, nebrodensis, nordmanniana & subsp. equi-trojani, procera, sibirica.

synonyms

Adelges piceae; A. piceae var. bouvieri (Cholodkovsky 1902); Dreyfusia nebrodensis Binazzi & Covassi, 1991.

notes

This Dreyfusia too has accidentally been introduced into North America.

predators

Aphidoletes abietis, A. thompsoni.

references

Albrecht (2017a), Barbagallo, Binazzi, Pennacchio & Pollini (2011a), Binazzi & Covassi (1991a), Blackman & Eastop (2014), Buhr (1964b), Carter (1971a), Covassi & Binazzi (1981a), Dauphin & Aniotsbehere (1997a), Hellrigl (2004a), Houard (1908a), Kollár (2007a 2011a), Lampel & Meier (2003a), Redfern & Shirley (2011a), Roskam (2009a, 2019a), Skuhravá & Skuhravý (2021a: 307), Skuhravá, Skuhravý & Meyer (2014a), Wojciechowski, Depa, Halgoš ao (2016a).