What is eating my apple tree?

MSaxp

Any help on what is feeding on our apple tree? Is it aphids? And how do we get rid of it? I don't see them on any other plants.

Thank you,
Mike

RAS

Second one is definitely aphids; squidge them, finger and thumb. You can also try slightly soapy water, sprayed on after squidging.

Mojisola

The first one looks like the skins shed by aphids as they grow.

If you don't have many ladybirds or blue tits around, try RAS's suggestion of soapy water.

It's also worth looking if you have an ant nest nearby - the ants 'farm' aphids and protect them from predators.

www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/aphids/

MSaxp

Thank you. Won't they come back if I just remove them with my hands? I'm guessing that given they are on dozens of leaves, I will inevitably miss some and they will just multiply and come back. Maybe I have left it until too late 

Mojisola

MSaxp said:

Won't they come back if I just remove them with my hands? I'm guessing that given they are on dozens of leaves, I will inevitably miss some and they will just multiply and come back. Maybe I have left it until too late 

Not if they're squished as you remove them!

Often just reducing the infestation is enough and allows the natural predators to work on the rest - as well as birds and ladybird larvae there are amazing tiny wasps that lay their eggs inside the aphids - if you find any golden/brassy coloured aphids, they've been victims of this wasp.

Aphid populations do expand quickly because the females don't need males to reproduce - in fact, the newly-born individuals are often already carrying the next generation - a burst of warm weather and the population can explode.

Have a go at knocking the worst of them off and keep an eye on them.

RAS

Yes, you will miss some when you squidge them, not least as there will be tiny eggs laid nearby. But if you go back in a week, you can squidge the hatchlings. Then spray again with soapy water.

It looks like your tree has made lots of lovely new growth after the rain and sun that is very soft and attractive to aphids. As it matures it will become more resistant.

MSaxp

RAS said:

Yes, you will miss some when you squidge them, not least as there will be tiny eggs laid nearby. But if you go back in a week, you can squidge the hatchlings. Then spray again with soapy water.

It looks like your tree has made lots of lovely new growth after the rain and sun that is very soft and attractive to aphids. As it matures it will become more resistant.

Thank you, that's great, it's true they seem to be eating the newest leaves first so starting at the tip of the branches moving inwards. 

Will get squashing and spraying! 

Mojisola

RAS said:

Yes, you will miss some when you squidge them, not least as there will be tiny eggs laid nearby.

At this time of year, there will live births.

sheramber

My gran emptied the dish washing water over her roses to keep greenfly away.

twopenny

I have them on all but one of my fruit trees.

The extended heat, still weather and dry has made the problem worse than usual. If you can open a gate or something to get air circulating it will help.

Persistance pays off - the leaves won;t recover their shape but will function normally.

Have a look for ants climbing along the branches. They milk the aphids but you need to reduce the numbers first.

MSaxp

There needs to be better coordination in my garden 😂 the aphids are on one side, the ants on the other. I might leave an infested leaf trail, leading to the apple tree 🍏😊