This small aphid-like insect causes a brown pine cone like gall at the ends of branches of spruce only.
Control is accomplished only in the spring.
A spray at bud break will kill the small nymphs that suck sap and secrete a chemical that causes the new terminal to form a thickened spiny growth. The galls can be picked or cut off the tree if unsightly. These growths will not seriously harm the tree. The last two years we have noticed a much larger number of infected trees in east Idaho. A cold winter may have an effect of reducing this insect.