Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Small Forests & Woodlots
A guide to conducting forest health assessments and sampling:
Identification of insects commonly found in foliage beating samples
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News No. 76, July 1998.
Recently there have been a considerable number of ‘aphid’ samples sent in for identification. It is good that most specimens have been sent in preservative (ethanol), however a great percentage of these specimens have been incorrectly identified, in the field, as aphids. A quick glance under a hand lens would easily help determine the insect order. Below are illustrations of insect orders commonly found in foliage beating samples. Figures: 1, aphids (Hemiptera); 2, psyllids (Hemiptera); 3, bark bugs or book lice (Psocoptera); 4, thrips (Thysanoptera); 5, spring tails (Collembola).
Psyllids (adults) and spring tails will readily jump when disturbed. Psocoptera are generally putty or dark brown in colour and will actively run around the foliage. Aphids are varied in colour and shape, if disturbed, some species will readily drop off the plant or move rapidly away, as does Essigella californica.
Clive Appleton, Forest Research.
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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