What's eating my damson 'merryweather'?

Damson 'Merryweather' shares the Prunus pest complex: aphids on new shoots, plum moth maggots in fruit, and winter moth caterpillars in spring. Birds take ripe fruit and bullfinches eat buds. Brown rot spoils unharvested crop. Aphids are the most consistent seasonal problem.

Grey-white waxy colonies under leaves; leaves curl and develop sooty mould; reduced vigour. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil at bud burst. Introduce or encourage natural predators. Avoid high-nitrogen feeding that promotes soft growth.

Creamy-pink caterpillars tunnel into fruit; early fruit drop; frass at entry point. Hang pheromone traps from late May to monitor; apply approved insecticide at egg-hatch if trap catch is high. Remove fallen fruitlets promptly.

Buds and young leaves eaten in early spring; webbing may tie leaves together. Grease-band trunks in October. Spray Bt at bud burst when caterpillars are small and feeding.

Ripe and near-ripe fruit rots rapidly; grey spore rings form; fruit mummifies on tree. Harvest promptly; remove mummified fruits and diseased wood. Improve air circulation by pruning open canopy.