Normally, when I walk by this Poplar Tree, I see its leaves shimmering and fluttering in the wind. Today, I saw leaves rather weighed down and stunted in size compared to the ones way higher in the tree canopy.
On closer examination I saw these:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj962usR433PVyTTn9CMKJ_lv9lIjnaz7HnfWpMFXFL-7OtLYECWCHEGN376JMSr0k0XirhF4_8kdF1iwfsLE3bsebhAxdbz5_kah1WA0-Y7jnvLX0JBVBHI40LjTeQlhOqfsN-jdJYK3Mz/s400/2013_aug_09_1.jpg) |
These growths are galls. Masses of plant tissue that grow over nesting insects. I wasn't sure if it was an aphid or mite which caused this. Turns out it's an aphid. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TOKk4JQEQC4Ce3lV118S-RGw2-BNuHex5zGxqbOfOpf9mekl8t8C454ZHlpxTkhpDUVrRPzcXxw3K2co6QnCYViaM46Gi1gKWs-L4jeSdYF0_w0iYjvBIlgXhpddblppgg5Rhsb-3YC2/s640/2013_aug_09_02.jpg) |
Unfortunately, this tree has other issues - some dying branches and peeling bark. The leaves show a bit of stress with perhaps a form of rust. These galls won't kill off the tree, but certainly don't help matters. |
The best info I could find on this aphid is on
Manitoba's Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives site.
There you'll find the contents inside the gall and the aphid's life cycle. Well done, MAF&RI!
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