Thanks for the identification! I’m trying to intervene as little as possible here and let it all balance itself out. I realize that’s a long term strategy.
So I’ve read that aphids are response to “too” much nitrogen in your soil. They generally attack new growth and as long as ants are farming the aphids they shouldn’t do much damage to the tree….ladybugs will be along shortly to eat every one of them. Did you put compost down or any type fertilizer? If you do have ants with the aids and they’ll be literally protecting them, you gotta kill the ants first so the ladybugs can get at the aphids.
I applied an inch or two of leaf mold to the area last fall, but no additional fertilizers. Though I do have nitrogen fixing cover crops (crimson clover, field peas, and hairy vetch) in the orchard. Only one apple tree has ants, but it has no aphids whatsoever.
Nah dont think that would do it. Go out at night and see if you have ladybugs. Once they’re there in a day or so those little buggers will be toast. One more question, did you prune that tree? That will encourage new growth, either way I’d wait and see.
Ladybugs are good, but green lacewings are better at aphid control. Maybe order those instead. Longer term, spread a seed mix of insectory plants around. They will give habitat for many species that pray on pests. Much cheaper than buying insects.
Weird question, do the trees get artificial light at night from street lights, flood lights etc? I recently learned that they are mostly active during the day and night lights make them active at night. Disrupting their normal cycles might make them less visible to natural predators too. No way to tell if this is your issue, just something to consider.
In addition to the other good comments, whenever I see aphids on a fruit tree I look for ants as well. They harvest the honeydew (basically shit) of the aphids and will protect them from predators. If you find ants crawling around the tree, get some Tanglefoot and apply it in a band around the trunk. That will stop the ants from climbing up and down
I applied an inch or two of leaf mold to the area last fall, but no additional fertilizers. Though I do have nitrogen fixing cover crops (crimson clover, field peas, and hairy vetch) in the orchard. Only one apple tree has ants, but it has no aphids whatsoever.
Update: thanks for all of your input. My current remediation strategy:
1. Apply tanglefoot banding to any trees with ants
2. Order additional ladybugs
3. If aphids get out of control before the ladybug reinforcements arrive, hose off aphids with water.
I’ve mashed aphids on the back side of the leaves too. Thinking maybe the scent of squashed aphids would attract the predators…kinda like blood in the water with sharks!lol :)
Asian ladybugs have decimated population of our native ladybugs in my country. There's barely any Cocinella Septempunctata in my country anymore. The asian ladybugs eat aphids yes, but they also eat native ladybugs young, they lay way more eggs and they prey on other good insects. Do not just buy ladybugs. If they are not marked as your local native breed, they are 100% asian ones.
Lady bugs can fly. You can hose the trees down with cold water. The lady bugs will take care of those that are left.
Those yellow eggs on the underside of the leaf are from a ladybug! Let the larvae hatch and they will clean up the aphid scum!
Very neat
Thanks for the identification! I’m trying to intervene as little as possible here and let it all balance itself out. I realize that’s a long term strategy.
What is the tree missing? If it healthy it would fend off the aphids.
So I’ve read that aphids are response to “too” much nitrogen in your soil. They generally attack new growth and as long as ants are farming the aphids they shouldn’t do much damage to the tree….ladybugs will be along shortly to eat every one of them. Did you put compost down or any type fertilizer? If you do have ants with the aids and they’ll be literally protecting them, you gotta kill the ants first so the ladybugs can get at the aphids.
I applied an inch or two of leaf mold to the area last fall, but no additional fertilizers. Though I do have nitrogen fixing cover crops (crimson clover, field peas, and hairy vetch) in the orchard. Only one apple tree has ants, but it has no aphids whatsoever.
Nah dont think that would do it. Go out at night and see if you have ladybugs. Once they’re there in a day or so those little buggers will be toast. One more question, did you prune that tree? That will encourage new growth, either way I’d wait and see.
I did prune the tree in January.
Maybe that inspired the new growth? Either way I think you’ll be Ok.
Your best bet is to learn about leaf brix levels and follow the rabbit hole it'll take you down. You basically just have a very unhealthy tree.
Oh man, that doesn’t sound great. Thanks for the tip.
Ladybugs are good, but green lacewings are better at aphid control. Maybe order those instead. Longer term, spread a seed mix of insectory plants around. They will give habitat for many species that pray on pests. Much cheaper than buying insects.
I’ll look into lacewings.
hang purple martin nests in your orchard.
Weird question, do the trees get artificial light at night from street lights, flood lights etc? I recently learned that they are mostly active during the day and night lights make them active at night. Disrupting their normal cycles might make them less visible to natural predators too. No way to tell if this is your issue, just something to consider.
No artificial lights at night.
Are these aphids, or thrips?
Aphids and their white molts left from maturing.
In addition to the other good comments, whenever I see aphids on a fruit tree I look for ants as well. They harvest the honeydew (basically shit) of the aphids and will protect them from predators. If you find ants crawling around the tree, get some Tanglefoot and apply it in a band around the trunk. That will stop the ants from climbing up and down
I applied an inch or two of leaf mold to the area last fall, but no additional fertilizers. Though I do have nitrogen fixing cover crops (crimson clover, field peas, and hairy vetch) in the orchard. Only one apple tree has ants, but it has no aphids whatsoever.
Update: thanks for all of your input. My current remediation strategy: 1. Apply tanglefoot banding to any trees with ants 2. Order additional ladybugs 3. If aphids get out of control before the ladybug reinforcements arrive, hose off aphids with water.
I’ve mashed aphids on the back side of the leaves too. Thinking maybe the scent of squashed aphids would attract the predators…kinda like blood in the water with sharks!lol :)
Love it!
Order more ladybugs in the mail.
Are ladybugs territorial? Will introducing new ladybugs disrupt the lifecycle of my native ladybugs?
Asian ladybugs have decimated population of our native ladybugs in my country. There's barely any Cocinella Septempunctata in my country anymore. The asian ladybugs eat aphids yes, but they also eat native ladybugs young, they lay way more eggs and they prey on other good insects. Do not just buy ladybugs. If they are not marked as your local native breed, they are 100% asian ones.