Many species of these insects infest fruit trees. Aphids do little damage in small numbers. However, they are extremely prolific and populations can rapidly build up during the growing season. Damage occurs when the aphid sucks the juices from the leaves and immature fruit. The aphid is unable to digest fully all the sugar in the sap and excretes the excess in a fluid called honeydew, which often drops onto the leaves below. A sooty mold fungus may develop on the honeydew, causing the leaves to appear black and dirty. At harvest time, the fruit may be small, misshapen, and pitted due to aphid damage earlier in the season. For more information about aphids, see Aphids.
Spray with an insecticide containing diazinon or malathion. Make sure that your fruit is listed on the product label. Repeat the spray if the tree becomes reinfested.
