We planted some evans cherry trees this spring, and just noticed that there are some tiny slug-like bugs on the leaves. They are about 1/4 inch long, and the leaves that they are on now have little holes in them, and are starting to turn yellow. What would these bugs be, and how do we get rid of them?
Hi Ern, Do the slugs look like bird droppings? If so, you may be seeing the first stage of the caterpillar that will become the Pale Swallowtail. This is another instar stage, but does it look anything like these? http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/CITRUS/giants2.htm http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/CITRUS/giants3.htm Click on the Swallowtails here. I suspect the first one on the left might be your 'slug'. http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/america/smooth.htm http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/2000/catnw/pht78.htm http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/or/702.htm I don't bother these in my garden as the adults pollinate my flowers and are a delight to watch. I plant extra parsley, fennel and dill for the caterpillars to eat. Newt
Ern--my guess is they are the pear sawfly, which commonly attack cherry leaves as well as pears. Sawflies are appparently a type of wasp, not butterflies, so these "slugs" are not controlled by caterpiller insecticide based on Bt. Here's one little blurb that might help a bit http://www.planetnatural.com/cgi-bin/planetnatural/xdpy/kb/00184/ Different sawflies do major damage to our columbines and gooseberries, and some damage on roses. The "skeletonized" leaves are a common clue... Glen
Have just found these critters on my cherry trees!! Researched, researched, and researched.... OK - it appears the best (organic) and safest solution is Neem Oil .. If anyone wants the link: http://www.neemfromindia.com/neem_articles.php#9. We have a 1 gal sprayer, but hubby came up with the idea of using our pressure washer on low!! Great idea, and will be doing this in the a.m. Hope this helps! Cheena
