What's eating my black chokeberry?

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is notably pest-resistant, but aphids, spider mites in hot dry weather, and leaf-eating caterpillars can cause problems. Japanese beetles chew foliage in summer. Birds consume ripe berries enthusiastically. Fungal leaf spot is a bigger concern than most insects.

Skeletonized leaves with only the veins remaining; metallic green-bronze beetles visible on foliage in midsummer Hand-pick beetles in the morning into soapy water; use row cover if infestation is severe; avoid pheromone traps, which attract more beetles than they trap.

Curled, distorted new growth; sticky honeydew on leaves below colonies; ants tending colonies on shoots Water blast; insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators. Light infestations rarely cause lasting damage on established shrubs.

Fine stippling and bronzing on leaves during hot, dry spells; fine webbing on undersides of leaves; leaves may drop early Mist foliage to raise humidity; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, covering undersides thoroughly; repeat every 7 days.

Ripe berry clusters stripped entirely as fruit matures in late summer and autumn Bird exclusion netting is the only reliable protection if berries are wanted for harvest; otherwise, tolerate birds as they assist seed dispersal.