Aphids on Japanese Maple
How to identify and get rid of aphids on Japanese Maple. Size: 1–3mm.
Identifying aphids on Japanese Maple
Small green or black insects clustered on the undersides of leaves and new shoot tips, often with sticky honeydew and sooty mould visible on leaves below.
Life cycle
Reproduce rapidly without mating in spring/summer. One female can produce 80+ offspring per week. Multiple generations per year.
Damage to Japanese Maple
Aphids sap-suck on tender new growth, causing curled leaves and sticky honeydew that coats lower leaves in sooty mould, though rarely causing serious harm to an established tree.
How to treat aphids on Japanese Maple
Spray forcefully with water to dislodge aphids on smaller trees, or apply insecticidal soap for accessible branches. Encourage ladybirds, which are effective natural predators.
Preventing aphids on Japanese Maple
Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser, which produces the soft new growth aphids prefer, and encourage beneficial insects in the garden.