A Flowering Plum Tree With Sticky Leaves

Pest Identification

• Aphids come in hundreds of different types and are the most common pests of shrubs, trees and ornamental plants, cites the Colorado State University Extension. Aphid infestation on any plant including the flowering plum is indicated by sticky, shiny liquid called honeydew on the foliage. The colorless material is sticky from the plant sugars and is excreted as a waste material from pests' anus.

Description

• The pests are oval shaped, soft bodied and less than 1/8 inch in length. The colors differ by species including shades of red, yellow, black, orange or green. The pests may be winged on wingless and have two pipelike cornicles growing from the rear of the body. All aphids have specialized, sucking mouthparts that they use to feed on juices or sap from tender plant areas. Certain species of aphids are covered with a wax like coating and are referred to as woolly aphids.

Damage

• Light population of aphids on flowering plum is usually not a cause for concern. However if the number of pests increases in the tree it will lead to distorted, curled and yellowed foliage with stunted shoots due to heavy feeding. The sticky honeydew excreted by the pests encourages the growth of sooty black mold on foliage and invites secondary pests like ants into the tree.

Management

• Avoid excessive use of fertilizer on tree and try to keep the tree free from ants. Ants keep aphids protected from natural enemies. Introduce natural predators like lacewing, syphid flies and lady beetles into infested trees. Use the relatively safer control materials like soaps and insecticidal oils in trees. Other control methods include neem oils, narrow range horticultural oils and soap pyrethrum mixtures.