Do you want to know what are the pests of the almond tree? It is interesting to know them, since this way we will know what are the symptoms and damages that they produce, as well as what measures we must take so that our tree can return to normal.
Although there are not many, since it is a fairly resistant plant, it is important to bear in mind that some of them, if allowed to act freely, weaken it a lot.
Almond tree pests
Mites
As the Red spider and the yellow spider, which are two tetraniquid mites that feed on the sap of the leaves. It is easy to distinguish them, since they weave cobwebs that they use to move from one leaf to another, or from one branch to another. In addition, you can see as reddish or yellowish dots that move through the beam of the foliage.
The clearest symptoms are progressive yellowing of the leaves by the attack of the mites, as well as the weakening of the plant.
Almond borer
Image – Flickr / trebol_a
It is a beetle (from the beetle family) whose scientific name is Scolytus amidali that in its adult phase it feeds on the branches of trees that are growing vigorously, and in its larval phase it feeds instead on the trees that are already weak.
One of the most obvious symptoms is sap exudationsimilar to gummies, apart from defoliation, decreased productivity and slowed growth.
Almond bud miner
Image – Flickr / Wildlife Gallery
The miners are larvae of some insects, in this case, of the species anarsia lineatellathat feed on the young shoots and that cause damage to the almonds. All this causes that newer leaves dry quickly leaving the rest of the branch and green leaves, and the fruits to spoil.
Almond aphid
It is an aphid that you will see very active in spring and summer. It also feeds on the sap of the leaves, as well as the flowers and tender branches, and in doing so produces a molasses that attracts fungi such as bold. There is also usually the presence of ants.
Symptoms are growth slowing, leaf drop, flower abortion, curling leaves… and in general weakness of the tree.
How are they fought or eliminated?
Image – Sharein.org
So that the almond tree is healthy again, the use of insecticides approved for organic farming is highly recommended; that is to say, with products that we know in advance that they will not harm plants or the environment, nor ourselves. For this, we have potassium soap (for sale here!), neem oil (for sale here!), insecticidal oil (for sale here!), or even with “grandmother’s remedies” that can be done at home.
Treatment should start as soon as the first symptoms and / or damage are seen, and even before to prevent, so it will be more effective.
I hope now you know what plague your almond tree has .
