Contents
- Why did aphids appear on the cherry
- Measures to combat aphids on cherries
- How to properly process cherries from aphids
- Preventive measures
- Conclusion
One of the main scourges of gardeners is the appearance of aphids on plants. If you miss the moment and allow these insects to multiply, you will not have to wait for the harvest. With garden crops, things are a little easier, since a short-growing plant can be completely watered with insecticide. If an aphid started up on a tree, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of it completely. For example, it is possible to process a whole cherry from aphids only from some kind of lifting mechanism. This is a tall tree and parasites will almost certainly remain on the upper branches.
Why did aphids appear on the cherry
In general, the answer is obvious: he wants to eat. The food of this large superfamily of Aphids is plant sap. In nature, there are 5000 species of aphids, and all of them parasitize vegetation. If all these insects could feed on the juice of any plants, there would be no flora left on Earth. Fortunately, aphid species are relatively specialized. Stone fruit trees are most commonly parasitized by Myzus Cerasi or the cherry aphid.
Much more interesting is the question “how aphids appear on cherries.” After all, if you consider these insects, it turns out that they are wingless.
There are three ways for pests to appear on trees:
- insects have hatched from eggs left on the branches of a cherry or other crop since autumn;
- the ants brought their “cattle” to “pasture”;
- arrived.
There are very few winged individuals on plants, since these are fertilized females. They can no longer stay on the old tree, they must expand their habitat. After fertilization, the female simply flies away to another plant.
Winged females in the colony are not numerous, they quickly fly away to a new place.
What does aphid look like
These are small insects, the usual size of which is 2-3 mm. Although in the superfamily there are species whose representatives grow up to 7 mm. The mouth apparatus of these insects is of a piercing type. They pierce the surface of leaves or young shoots with them and drink the juice.
The length of the proboscis of aphids is different. In some species, the mouth apparatus can reach very large sizes. This is due to the feeding habits of insects.
In all types of aphids, there are wingless and winged forms. The first can also reproduce, but it ensures the reproduction of the population on the original host plant. Wingless females are unfertilized and reproduce by parthenogenesis.
After fertilization, the female grows wings and flies away. This is how host plants change. On cherries, Myzus cerasi or cherry aphid most often appears.
Description
A sexually mature, unfertilized female cherry aphid has a pear-shaped, wide body. The head is at the narrow end of the body. The length of a wingless adult is 2-2,4 mm. The color is black on top and brown on the side of the abdomen. In immature individuals, the color of the back is dark brown. The body of the cherry aphid is shiny.
Dark green antennae are divided into 6 segments, with a total length of about 1 mm. Antennae grow from wide frontal tubercles that form a groove.
The fertilized winged individual is brilliant black. The length of her body is 2,4 mm. The flying female lays oval black eggs.
It may seem that the color unmasks black aphids on green cherry leaves. This is the case. But this color hides insects well on the dark bark of cherry branches. The same applies to insect eggs.
Most common aphid form: viviparous unfertilized female
The distribution area of these insects excludes only those regions where its main fodder crops are not grown:
- South America;
- Antarctica;
- South and Central Africa;
- Southeast Asia.
Cherry aphids cause the greatest harm in the southern regions of the former USSR, which stretch in a line from Moldova to Central Asia.
feed base
Black aphid is an oligophage, and eats not only cherries. Her diet also includes other stone fruit garden crops:
- cherries;
- plum;
- apricot;
- peach.
Black aphids give preference to cherries, as a relative of cherries. But he will not refuse other fruit plants either.
In addition to cultivated trees, cherry aphids feed on:
- soft bedstraw;
- eyebright straight;
- tenacious bedstraw;
- Veronica officinalis;
- spring cog.
The presence of aphids on wild plants would be of little concern if the species did not have flying females. If there is any of the listed herbs in the vicinity of the garden, affected by aphids, there is no doubt: insects will soon appear on garden trees.
The life cycle of a pest
The life cycle of black aphids begins in early spring, when the first generation of insects emerge from overwintered eggs. Eggs hibernate at the ends of annual shoots near the buds. And the first larvae appear simultaneously with bud break. Aphids feed on the juice of young leaves, which is why the latter turn black and dry. During the season, several generations of pests change on the tree.
Since the birth of already living small copies of adults occurs during parthenogenesis, 14 generations can be born during the warm season.
Light and small individuals – young aphids
Signs and causes of aphids on cherry leaves
With a daily inspection of young cherry shoots, it may be possible to notice the appearance of pests at an early stage. But usually gardeners find aphids when they are already comfortably placed on a tree:
- the shoots of this year are strewn with black insects;
- whole colonies of insects are found on the back of the leaves;
- leaves curl and turn black;
- the flowers are starting to fall off.
The first appearance of aphids is possible even in early spring, when flower buds are just beginning to bloom in cherries. These are the pests that came out of the overwintered eggs. The second wave will be after the females of the first generation grow up and are fertilized. Around the same time, ants can bring insects to the trees. They also want sweets. Excrement excreted by aphids contains a lot of sugar. Further, pests can appear at any time. It all depends on how quickly the winged female reaches the tree.
Measures to combat aphids on cherries
The first time you need to process cherries from aphids is in early spring. But not when tree trunks are usually whitewashed, getting rid of overwintered bugs, but a little later: at the time of bud break. At an earlier time, only those drugs that act on pest eggs can be used. These are usually strong chemical insecticides. It is possible in early spring. Later, before processing cherries from aphids, you need to pay attention to the degree of ripening of the berries.
How to get rid of aphids on cherries folk remedies
Most chemical insecticides are long lasting. Many of them are systemic, that is, they can penetrate into plant tissues. Trying to drink the juice, the aphid absorbs the poison at the same time. This is almost ideal if you spray cherries from aphids with such insecticides in early spring, when sap flow begins.
But during the ripening of the crop, it is undesirable to use such preparations, although the manufacturer assures consumers of the safety of modern insecticides. At the stage of half-ripe berries, aphids on cherries are best treated with folk remedies:
- ammonia;
- tar soap;
- ash;
- soda ash;
- decoctions of aromatic herbs.
The practice of gardeners shows that the best option is soda ash. But other recipes have a right to exist. The dosage in all recipes is calculated on a bucket of water.
On a leaf, aphids cluster closer to the central vein
Ammonia
Half a bar of laundry soap is grated and dissolved in hot water. The resulting soapy solution is poured into a bucket of water and a 100-ml bottle of 10% ammonia is added there.
It is necessary to process the black aphid that has settled on the cherry twice with a break of a week. Pay special attention to the underside of the leaves.
Tar soap
If it is not there, you can use the usual economic one. Tar is more effective because of the smell. Otherwise, there is no difference between detergents. The recipe is the same as with ammonia, but without the latter.
Herbal decoctions
These products do not kill aphids, they only scare them away. Therefore, the effectiveness of decoctions and infusions of herbs is very low. But if you need to do something urgently, and only herbs are at hand, you can use this method. For decoctions use:
- St. John’s wort;
- tansy;
- sagebrush;
- calendula;
- yarrow;
- dandelion leaves;
- tobacco.
A stronger and at least slightly poisonous remedy: an infusion of potato or tomato leaves. It can also be made from fresh dandelion leaves or tobacco. For infusion, take equal parts of greens and water. Fresh chopped greens are poured with water and left to infuse for a day so that the plants secrete poisonous juice into the water. Then the infusion is filtered and sprinkled with cherries.
Infusion of ash
Pour 0,5 kg of ordinary wood ash into a bucket of water and leave for 3 days. Don’t forget to strain before spraying the trees.
Garlic infusion
Crush the head of garlic and add a liter of water. Insist 5 days. Use diluted: 50 g of infusion in a bucket of water. 2 hours will definitely work.
Garlic can be found in any home
Dry mustard
Mix 100 g of mustard powder in a bucket of water. Spray the cherries with the resulting mixture. For better adhesion of mustard to the leaves, soap can be added to the solution.
Milk with iodine
You will need a vial of iodine and half a glass of milk. The ingredients are diluted in a liter of water and the plants are sprayed with the resulting solution from aphids. Given the size of the cherry tree, the mortar will take a lot.
Sodium carbonate
It is sold in housekeeping departments as a substitute for dishwashing detergents. Experienced gardeners believe that using a soda ash solution is the best way to rid cherries of aphids during ripening. Since soda is used to wash dishes, it can even be used on already ripe cherries. The method of preparation is also simple: soda is diluted in water. Each gardener has their own proportions. Some use 3 tbsp. l. to a bucket of water. Others believe that you can’t spoil porridge with butter, and add the same 3 tbsp. l. per liter of water.
All these folk methods allow you to get rid of aphids on cherries in the summer during the ripening of the crop. Until stronger drugs can be used. Plus, folk remedies are safe for human health.
Treatment of cherries from aphids with biological products
Biological preparations do not destroy aphids on trees immediately, as happens when spraying with chemical insecticides. But their plus is that they are harmless to humans and they can be used even a few days before harvest. Minus: biological products are easily washed away by rain. But after the rain, you definitely don’t have to worry about the presence of an insecticide. Biologics include:
- Fitoverm: impact on aphids 10-12 hours after application.
- Entobacterin: the effect is similar to Fitoverm. Can be applied 5 days before harvest. The best result is shown at an air temperature of 28-30 ° C, that is, it is best to spray the trees in the height of summer. At lower temperatures it is necessary to increase the concentration of the insecticide.
- An arrow with the active ingredient bitoxibacillin is harmless to warm-blooded. The insecticide starts working 2 days after spraying;
- The drug 30-plus is called that. Its active ingredient is an emulsion of vaseline oil, which covers the aphids of the spiracle. The advantage of this insecticide is that it is not washed off by rain. In addition, vaseline oil is completely non-toxic. It can be applied at any time. Minus: the emulsion will not reach the aphids inside the rolled sheet.
Biological products are a good and reliable alternative to folk methods for the destruction of aphids.
You can also attract predatory insects that feed on aphids to the garden.
How to deal with chemicals from aphids on cherries
All chemical insecticides can be applied no earlier than 20 days before harvest. The drugs give the best effect in the early stages of the growing season. To almost completely get rid of black aphids on cherries, the first spraying should be done at the beginning of sap flow. And it is necessary to use systemic preparations that can penetrate into plant tissues. The larvae that emerge from the eggs will die either by direct contact with the insecticide, or by trying to drink the juice.
Of the chemicals used:
- imidacloprid: class of neonicotinoids, enteric-contact action, systemic;
- karbofos/malathion: reliable insecticide against aphids, but very toxic to humans, non-systemic;
- thiamethoxam: class of neonicotinoids, enteric-contact action, systemic;
- alpha-cypermethrin: pyrethroid class, enteric contact, valid up to 2 weeks if there was no rain;
- beta-cypermethrin: pyrethroid class, enteric contact;
- deltamethrin: pyrethroid class, enteric contact.
These insecticides are unlikely to be found commercially under their real names. Usually these are active ingredients in the composition of registered trademarks. Imidacloprid is sold under the names: Biotlin, Confidor Extra, Tanrek.
Karbofos can be found under the brands: Prophylactin, Aliot.
Thiamethoxam is part of the most favorite preparations by gardeners: Aktara, Voliam Flexia, Engio Forte.
For other insecticides, brands do not differ in great variety. Alpha-cypermethrin – Neophral, beta-cypermethrin – Kinmiks, deltamethrin – Decis Profi.
How to remove aphids from cherries mechanically
Mechanical methods for removing aphids from cherries include:
- breaking off infected shoots;
- washing off aphids from the crown of a tree with a strong water jet;
- use of anti-ant belts.
It is impossible to completely remove aphids from cherries in similar ways. You can only reduce its concentration on one plant. Anti-ant belts will not allow ants to bring their “cows” to the trees, but they will not protect against flying aphids.
In addition, this belt will not help against aphids on felt cherries. This plant today belongs to the genus of plums, but it is a shrub 1,5-2 m high. Sometimes felt cherry grows up to 3 m.
On a felt cherry, it is convenient to destroy aphids by breaking off the affected shoots. It is also suitable for spraying.
From tall cherry trees, pests will have to be knocked down with a jet of water. But along with insects, the whole crop falls on the ground. However, with a high degree of probability, it will just be possible not to worry about it. All the same, it will not ripen, since the aphid will drink all the juice necessary for normal fruiting. Well, if you can save the tree itself.
Twisted leaves are best cut off immediately
Comprehensive measures
It is better to get rid of aphids by immediately applying a set of measures. To prevent the ants from bringing their “cattle” to the branches, you need to put trapping belts on the cherry trunks and regularly update the adhesive surface. Branches in spring and leaves in summer should be regularly sprayed with insecticides or insect repellents. It will not be superfluous to weed weeds, which also serve as a food base for aphids. It is necessary to remove already dying, twisted leaves manually, as insects hide there.
How to properly process cherries from aphids
For proper processing of cherries, you need to follow some rules. This includes not only the choice of the drug depending on the season, but also checking the weather forecast, and observing safety precautions.
When can cherries be treated for aphids?
The first time cherries are processed in the spring, when the snow has not really melted yet. Oil-based insecticides are chosen to prevent larvae from hatching from eggs. Such preparations are poorly washed off with water and can last for a long time until the snow melts and frosts with frost are possible.
Chemical insecticides can also be applied during the cherry blossom season. At this time, it is better to use long-acting systemic drugs.
Once the berries appear, chemical insecticides can be used while the cherries are still green. After the reddening of the fruit, it is more advisable to switch to biological products, and shortly before harvesting, use folk remedies. The latter will have to be applied weekly until the crop is harvested.
After picking cherries, closer to autumn, you can switch back to systemic insecticides. Late autumn to apply something like this does not make sense. It is only necessary to clear the trees of pieces of old bark and carry out the usual autumn procedures.
Personal protective measures
When processing cherries with folk remedies, protection is not particularly required, since all these substances are in the kitchen of any housewife. But when spraying trees with chemical insecticides, especially karbofos, protection is already necessary. Today, it is not difficult to buy a full chemical protection suit.
Other insecticides do not require such powerful protection, but the necessary minimum: a respiratory mask, goggles and gloves. However, cypermethrins are moderately toxic to mammals.
This “dress” is acceptable when spraying cherries with folk remedies, but is completely unsuitable when working with industrial insecticides.
Processing rules
You need to process cherries in dry weather, after checking the weather forecast. It is necessary that there is no rain for the next 3 days. Otherwise, insecticides will be washed away with water. Time of day for processing: early morning or evening. At this time, flying aphids can no longer rise into the air and will also fall under the action of the insecticide.
The dosage of industrial preparations is indicated on the packaging. Depending on the type of insecticide, both the dosage and the frequency of treatment may vary. Folk remedies do not have strict dosage norms, and the frequency is at least once a week.
Preventive measures
It is impossible to get rid of aphids in the garden forever. Also, you can not destroy it using only one way to fight. To radically reduce the number of aphids in the garden, a set of measures is needed:
- regular removal of root shoots;
- cleaning the trunk and branches of cherries in autumn from pieces of dead bark;
- sanitary pruning of trees;
- spraying cherries in early spring with preparations with an oily consistency, the use of diesel fuel or kerosene is acceptable;
- control of the ant population and monitoring of their movement through the trees: using trapping belts;
- after the first larvae appear, treat the cherries with insecticides to prevent the aphids from growing to sexual maturity. The so-called “green cone spraying”;
- regular inspection of all plants;
- when aphids appear on the upper branches of cherries, washing the trees with water;
- regular weeding of weeds, on which aphids can also settle.
But even with careful prevention, you should not relax. Single individuals will not cause much harm, but aphids also carry viruses that are much more difficult to cure.
Preventing aphids by treating cherries with an insecticide in early spring
Conclusion
It is necessary to process cherries from aphids several times per season. Insects reproduce rapidly and use the wind to fly long distances. Aphids can appear any day during the entire growing season. Insecticides are selected depending on the ripening period of the crop.