Fluffy White growth on Apple Tree

[Jmtrevett]

There is this funny fluffly white growth in small patches on our apple tree. It looks just like someone has gone round with some cotton wool and attached it to various spots on the tree.


On closer inspection it appears to have tiny clear eggs in it...and it's kingd of sticky. I presume it's some kind of insect or moth or something but can't find any info in Hessayon's pest and weed expert. Is it something non-harmful that I can just leave or is it serious enough to warant a treatment of somekind?

It is definitely not any kind of mould or mildew and the tree is producing lots of fruit (as it did last year).

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Jess

[Capsid]

Woolly aphids, not good, best to remove.

[littlemark]

Sounds like Woolly Aphid Jess. Nott too serious a problem if treated early. Take a stiff paintbrush to the patches and just brush them off. More serious infestation can be dealt with by painting with meths, or in extreme cases treating with Derris.

Mark

[Jmtrevett]

Thanks guys, the picture in the link is exactly that, so wooly aphid it is then! Interestingly one preventative measure is to hang bird feeders...there are 3 in the that tree which is maybe why I haven't seen a mass breakout of them.

I will duly attack them with a stiff brush later

jess