We have already begun noticing infestations of the wild woollies in western N.Y. orchards. In the spring, nymphs crawl up on apple trees from the roots to initiate aerial colonies. Most nymphs are born alive to unmated females on apple trees during the summer. Colonies initially build up on the inside of the canopy on sites such as wounds or pruning scars and later become numerous in the outer portion of the tree canopy, usually during late July to early August. Aerial colonies occur most frequently on succulent tissue such as the current season's growth, water sprouts, unhealed pruning wounds, or cankers.
Heavy infestations cause honeydew and sooty mold on the fruit and galls on the plant parts.
Severe root infestations can stunt or kill young trees but usually do not damage mature trees. Large numbers of colonies on trees may leave sooty mold on the fruit, which annoys pickers because red sticky residues from crushed WAA colonies may accumulate on their hands and clothing. Water sprouts, pruning wounds, and scars on the inside of the tree canopy should be examined for WAA nymphs. Starting sometime in early July, new growth around the outside of the canopy should be examined for WAA colonies. Aphelinus mali, a tiny wasp, frequently parasitizes WAA but is very susceptible to insecticides and thus does not provide adequate control in regularly sprayed commercial orchards.