Young trees or individual branches of large trees may be killed by heavy infestations, or their growth may be seriously reduced. Cinara are the largest of the pine-feeding aphids. One outstanding feature of a heavy infestation is sooty mold, a dark fungus that grows in the honeydew excreted by the aphids as they feed. The life cycle is complex. For example, adults of the intermediate summer generations consist of females only, some winged and others wingless, which give birth to living young.
Males occur only in the late fall generation, which produces the overwintering eggs.
When control on ornamentals is required, a contact insecticide should be satisfactory. Treatment should be repeated if aphids reappear. For specific chemical controls, see the current state extension service recommendations.