Cinara aphids

Recently, a northern saw-whet owl was in the news.  The poor little guy was hanging out in a giant spruce tree 170 miles north of New York City (NYC). Unfortunately for the owl, the tree was selected as The Tree for the holiday display in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.  The tree was cut down and wrapped up with the poor owl in it. The half scared to death owl wasn’t discovered until the tree was being prepped for display in NYC.  While the owl’s story is interestingly sad, less charismatic critters get hauled into homes on Christmas trees each year. The most common is the Cinara aphid.

Cinara aphids, is a group (genus) of aphids that tend to be large and brown to black in color. They are also called giant conifer aphids. They may or may not have wings. Cinara aphids are often brought indoors on Christmas trees, especially in the Carolinas. Even though they are plant feeders, many people think Cinara aphids are ticks and can cause them great concern when they see several hundred walking around the holiday tree. They are harmless and will not hurt people, pets or household items.