Hello We have a 3 year Cox's Orange Pippen espaliered and its new leaves are being eaten to the stem. ( See photo 2.) In photo 1 the Cox's is on the left and has always been less vigorous than the Braeburn on the right. The eating started on the right side of the Cox's and is moving to the left side of the tree. We have examined the leaves but cannot see any insects or signs of insects but we don't really know what we are looking for. Seems to be some pouching on the leaves (photo 3). The trees are inside deer fencing. Could be another animal? No burrows or holes that we can see. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!
Check out the apple leaf curling midge at this Website: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/tfipm/leafmidge.htm . I have something similar on my apple trees, but they don't usually do much damage. However, that site says that they damage young trees the most.
Thank you for the link about the apple leaf midge. We looked hard but couldn't see any larvae or adults flying around. Hoping for vigorous growth.
