Black Cherry Aphid

Hosts

Cherry

Biology

Overwinter as eggs on twigs and fruit spurs; hatch just before bloom.  Migrate to mustard family weed hosts during summer.

Symptoms/Damage

Curled leaves; copious honeydew can cause severe stickiness on fruit.

Monitoring

Look for shiny black eggs in early spring at the base of buds. 

Treatment Threshold

No threshold determined.

Degree Day Model

None

Management Considerations

Delayed dormant oil will usually take care of this aphid.  Numerous beneficial insects including lady beetle adults and larvae, lacewing larvae, and syrphid fly larvae help suppress aphid populations.