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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Black cherry aphids.

Cherry

Black Cherry Aphid

Scientific Name: Myzus cerasi

(Reviewed 4/06, updated 4/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The black cherry aphid is large and shiny metallic black. This pest overwinters as shiny black eggs on twigs and fruit spurs. Eggs hatch shortly before bloom and the aphids can go through a number of generations and may become very abundant in early spring. The population decreases to a very low level on cherry trees during the summer months and primarily survives on mustard family weeds during this period.

DAMAGE

High populations of the black cherry aphid are mainly a problem on young trees where they cause curling and distortion of the leaves.

MANAGEMENT

The best time to control black cherry aphid is during the dormant or delayed dormant period. In addition, a number of natural enemies, including lady beetles, lacewings, and several species of parasitic wasps, help keep aphid populations controlled. If control has not been achieved during the dormant period and natural enemies are not adequately controlling the population, apply a treatment shortly after petal fall, when the aphids first appear.

Common name Amount to Use** P.H.I.+
(trade name) (conc.) (dilute) (days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
DORMANT or DELAYED DORMANT
A. NARROW RANGE OIL 4–8 gal 1.5–2 gal  
  MODE OF ACTION: Contact including smothering and barrier effects.
  . . . PLUS . . .
  DIAZINON* 50WP 4 lb 1.25 lb  
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Organophosphate insecticides used during delayed dormancy are very toxic to honey bees. Remove bees from orchard if cover crops or weeds are in bloom. Oil sprays may injure trees that are water stressed. It is advisable to postpone an oil application to water-stressed trees until winter rains have replenished soil water and the tree bark is noticeably moist. Avoid drift and runoff into surface water or choose alternative materials. Diazinon has been found in surface waters at levels that violate federal and state water quality standards.
  . . . OR . . .
  CHLORPYRIFOS*
  (Lorsban) 4EC 2 qt 0.5 qt  
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Be sure to apply before blossoms open or injury may occur. Do not graze livestock in treated areas or feed them treated cover crops. Avoid drift and runoff into surface water or choose alternative materials. Chlorpyrifos has been found in surface waters at levels that violate federal and state water quality standards.
 
PETAL FALL
A. IMIDACLOPRID
  (Provado) 1.6F 8 oz 2 oz 7
  MODE OF ACTION: A neonicotinoid (Group 4A)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid-Admire, Provado; thiamethoxam-Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance.
 
B. THIAMETHOXAM
  (Actara) 25WDG 4 oz 1 oz 14
  MODE OF ACTION: A neonicotinoid (Group 4A)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: May only be applied once after bloom. Do not apply by air. Repeat applications of any neonicotinoid insecticide (imidacloprid-Admire, Provado; thiamethoxam-Actara) can lead to resistance to all neonicotinoids. Alternate neonicotinoids with an insecticide that has a different mode of action to help delay the development of resistance.
 
C. DIAZINON* 50WP 3 lb 1 lb 21
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters. Where cherries are grown adjacent to waterways, do not use this material.
 
 
**  For concentrate applications, use the amount given in 80–100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows; for dilute applications, amount is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300–400 gal water/acre, according to label.
+ Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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