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Black bugs devouring my Acer!

KatGKatG Posts: 38
in Problem solving

Hi I found my Acer covered with little black bugs clustered around the budding leaves. They're oval shape and 1-2mm.. 

Posts

  • KatGKatG Posts: 38

    Sorry distressed I forgot to ask a question! What are they and how do I get rid of them before they ruin all the new leaves...

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    Sounds like a form of aphid.  Just blast them off with a spray from a hosepipe.   

    You can use an insecticide but they're indiscriminate and will also kill the good guys like lacewings and ladybirds which like to hoover up aphids for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   They'll be along when the weather warms up a bit so you need to be patient and use the hose pipe till they come and correct the balance.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2020
    I've just found the same and blasting them off did nothing as they just regrouped. I've had to use an insecticidal spray as a last resort.

    There were some aphids but these are different. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Neem oil spray, maybe worth a try? Easy to get hold of a small bottle and dilute it. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • zeb.boylezeb.boyle Posts: 1
    I too have these black round bugs on my new unfolding Acer leaves. I have been informed they are round mite?!  They do not seem to bother my green leafed Acers, only the red leaves. 
  • mckenziednMxW2-gMbmckenziednMxW2-gMb Posts: 1
    i have same issue, leaves have now all gone...what do we do?

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