White pine aphid colonies are often accompanied by ants, who feed on the honeydew secreted by the aphids. Look on the bark of tree trunks and branches for black aphids with a central white stripe, white spots on the sides and long, stiff hairs on the body. During the winter, examine needles for rows of black eggs. Like many aphids, the white pine aphid has several generations and life forms each year.
Winter is spent as black eggs on needles.
These eggs are laid end to end in rows of 5 to 25. Eggs hatch in spring to yield the first of several generations of wingless females. In the fall, both winged males and females are produced. Mating occurs and new overwintering eggs are laid. Small trees may be killed by the white pine aphid, while branch dieback and discolored needles are common in larger trees that are infested.