Pest identification
What's eating my prunus 'accolade'?
Cherry blackfly (Myzus cerasi)
Signs: Black aphid colonies cluster on shoot tips, causing leaf curl, honeydew, and sooty mould; young growth is badly distorted.
Control: Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, and blue tits. Treat with insecticidal soap or a diluted neem oil spray on affected shoots.
Winter moth caterpillars (Operophtera brumata)
Signs: Larvae eat flower buds and young foliage in spring, leaving ragged holes and frass on blossom clusters.
Control: Sticky grease bands on trunks from October trap egg-laying females. Spinosad or pyrethrin spray targets active caterpillars.
Bullfinches
Signs: Methodically remove flower buds in late winter, which can eliminate most of the spring blossom on a young tree.
Control: Net small trees December through March. Move feeders away from the tree to redirect birds during the vulnerable period.
Keep prunus 'accolade' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Prunus 'Accolade' pests — FAQ
What is eating my prunus 'accolade'?
Prunus 'Accolade' suffers from cherry blackfly, winter moth caterpillars, and bullfinch bud-stripping — the same pest complex as most ornamental cherries. Squirrels may steal blossom and young shoots. Cherry blackfly is the most frequent and visually striking problem, disfiguring young shoots every spring.
How do I get rid of cherry blackfly (myzus cerasi) on prunus 'accolade'?
Black aphid colonies cluster on shoot tips, causing leaf curl, honeydew, and sooty mould; young growth is badly distorted. Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, and blue tits. Treat with insecticidal soap or a diluted neem oil spray on affected shoots.
How do I get rid of winter moth caterpillars (operophtera brumata) on prunus 'accolade'?
Larvae eat flower buds and young foliage in spring, leaving ragged holes and frass on blossom clusters. Sticky grease bands on trunks from October trap egg-laying females. Spinosad or pyrethrin spray targets active caterpillars.
How do I get rid of bullfinches on prunus 'accolade'?
Methodically remove flower buds in late winter, which can eliminate most of the spring blossom on a young tree. Net small trees December through March. Move feeders away from the tree to redirect birds during the vulnerable period.