Hello, I am seeing these black bugs (aphids??) at the tip of my hedge maple branches and the underside of it's leaves. There is some sticky droplets on the leaf surface as well. Some of these have wings while others are wingless. There is also a white bug living alongside. I knew we should not have hoped for a warmer winter!!
Looking at the photo's you've posted, the bug in question looks very similar to something I had on a Mock Orange bush. They congregated in exactly the same way, and having looked them up they came out as Black Fly and the other White Fly. I don't know what pesticides you can get, certainly in England this is a very common problem, the important bit is spraying early, keeping a watch for their return, and spraying again. Incidently, the bush was constantly infected with these little flies. If I took my eye off the ball they were back in their thousands so eventually I dug it up.
Thanks for your input. Pesticides are now ban in Ontario so I am thinking of natural controls. If these are indeed aphids, I am planting some nasturtiums underneath the tree. I will also hang some sticky yellow tape on the tree to see if that can attract some of these bugs. Lastly, I am looking for lady bugs. Apparently they love to feast on these insects. Najeeb
Interesting you should mention lady bugs. I was watching a farming programme on the tv a couple of weeks ago and it seems that many are now introducing these little ladies into their greenhouses to control the aphids. The spray I probably used on the black and white fly will not be available now here, there has been a concerted effort to bring in a more gentle way of controlling bugs. These days I tend to use those advertised as not being harmful to birds, lady bugs, bees etc.
bumble bees are vegetarian I believe. Edit: Wasps (hornets, yellow jackets) are carnivorous and eat many different insects. I'm not sure about aphids, though, they seem rather small for a wasp prey item. People have been using lady bugs for aphid control for (at least to my knowledge) decades, maybe even longer. As long as their is food for them, they'll stay, but if they run out of food, they will leave and find food.
Hi Najeed, sorry I think the way I explained myself re 'safe' insecticide looked like bees might eat aphids, as mentioned they are vegetarian.
Hello Najeeb, You can refer www.kootenaycovers.com. you can find the protecting bags for the tree from the worms and insects.
