Red Maple Tree Pests in Florida

The red maple tree, Acer rubrum, grows widely across the state of Florida. It reaches approximately 75 feet in height and has an oval-shaped crown. Red maple is susceptible to damage from a number of insect pests.

Types

• Cottony maple scale insects are approximately 1/4 inch long and brownish in color. They leave cottony, white egg sacks on the undersides of small branches. The maple spindle gall mite creates red swellings or galls on the leaves. Aphids, another common insect pest, are soft-bodied pink, black, green, yellow or gray insects that range between 1/16 and 3/8 inches in length. All can infest red maples in Florida.

Effects

• Severe cottony maple scale infestations kill individual branches and weaken the tree's general health. Maple spindle mites cause cosmetic damage, but they do not seriously harm trees. Aphids pierce plant tissue with their mouthparts and feed on plant sap. They also leave a sticky material called honeydew on foliage. A fungus called sooty mold grows on the honeydew and discolors leaves. Serious aphid populations cause leaf drop.

Prevention/Solution

• Treat cottony maple scale with chemical controls or oil treatments after the leaves fall. Avoid spraying red maple trees with acephate, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Gall mites do not require chemical treatment. Allow natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings to control aphid populations. Apply a foliar spray to severely infested trees.