Pine shoot beetle adults are emerging in southern Ontario. Expect adults to be feeding in the new twigs by mid July. Contact your local CFIA office for details of the Pine Shoot Beetle Compliance Program 2000. Spruce spider mite populations are starting to decline and recent damage is becoming evident. The nymphs and adults feed suck plant sap from many evergreens including spruce, juniper, cedar and hemlock.
Damage appears as bronzing of the foliage.
To monitor, hold a piece of white paper deep inside the tree, shake the branch above and look for tiny mites that sit on the paper. Chemical control is no longer appropriate since populations are dwindling, as this is a cool season pest. The adults are tiny grey and white mottled moths that breed on the foliage. They are easily disturbed by movement around the plant. Chemical control is more effective if applied when the new larvae begin feeding in late August but malathion and diazinon may give some control of the adults where populations are extremely high.