Due to their very short life cycles, populations of aphids such as Cinara pinivora can multiply rapidly on a host, leading to the formation of dense colonies. It preferentially attacks younger plants in the nursery and below the age of 4 years in the field. However, they can also attack older trees, preferentially attacking the new shoots and growth tips.
Feeding by the aphids lead to discolouration and pre-mature needle drop. This can then further result in branch discolouration and die-back, affecting the photosynthetic capabilities of the trees resulting in stunting and reduced growth.
In addition to the direct feeding damage caused by the aphids, they also excrete honeydew during the process of feeding. This sticky and sugary substance is an ideal substrate for fungal growth, and the presence of high numbers of aphids feeding typically goes together with the occurrence of sooty mold.
The wingless adults of the species range from 3.5 to 4.1 mm in size. They have a glossy dark brown head, a lighter brown thorax and dark dorsal sclerites on the abdomen. The species also has black, steep sided siphuncular cones and black legs with pale yellow banding.
Cinara pinivora has a very short life cycle, leading to massive population growth in a very short time. Many generations can occur per season together on a single host. Extremes in temepratures, i.e. very high and very low temperatures, have a negative effect on population growth.
Makunde, P. T., Slippers, B., & Hurley, B. P. (2024). First report of the giant conifer aphid, Cinara pinivora (Wilson) and the Monterey pine aphid, Essigella californica (Essig) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in South Africa. Southern Forests: A Journal of Forest Science, 86(4), 324–328. https://doi.org/10.2989/20702620.2024.2394218
