Black and Yellow Pecan Aphids
Black and Yellow pecan aphids are overwintering as eggs on the stems. Start scouting the foliage as the leaves unfold and grow. The yellow pecan aphids will usually reach high population levels on the growing foliage but do not need to be controlled at this time. Black pecan aphids can cause some yellow spotting of the foliage during the early season and healthy trees can usually compensate for this early season damage. 'Sumner', 'Schley' and 'Gloria Grande' are highly susceptible to black pecan aphid damage.
Black pecan aphids typically begin increasing in susceptible pecan varieties in June. Natural controls were not reliable. Effective chemical control is possible with airblast spray application of Provado (Bayer Chemical Co.) at 7 oz formulation per acre or a less expensive method was to mix Provado at 4 oz. formulation per acre with Kinetic (distrubuted by Helena Chemical Co.) - a surfactant - at 8 oz.formulation per 100 gal. A second effective tank mixture was 4 oz. Provado plus 1.5 pt Lorsban 4E per acre. Fulfill (Syngenta Co.) at 4 oz of formulation per acre is effective if applied before populations get out of hand.

By late August black pecan aphids are usually abundant in pecan trees on the lower limbs and sucker shoots near the trunk. Beneficial insects again will not typically control these populations and new damage to the foliage may cause early defoliation. Insecticides are needed to prevent the aphids from moving up to the nut bearing limbs.