Pest identification
What's eating my wild service tree?
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on leaves; curled, distorted new shoots in spring.
Control: Water-jet sprays; insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and parasitic wasps as biological controls.
Winter moth caterpillar (Operophtera brumata)
Signs: Young caterpillars eat into buds and developing leaves in spring, causing tattering and poor fruit set.
Control: Grease bands on trunk from October; Bt spray at bud burst; hand-pick caterpillars where accessible.
Pear slug sawfly (Caliroa cerasi)
Signs: Slug-like larvae graze the upper leaf surface leaving brown papery patches (skeletonising).
Control: Knock larvae off with a water jet; dust leaves with fine kaolin or wood ash; apply pyrethrin if populations are very high.
Keep wild service tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Wild Service Tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my wild service tree?
Wild Service Tree is attacked by aphids, caterpillars of winter moth and related geometrids, and occasionally pear slug sawfly on the leaves. Birds compete for ripe berries. Being a hedgerow Sorbus, aphids remain the most persistent annual pest, peaking on spring flushes of growth.
How do I get rid of aphids on wild service tree?
Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on leaves; curled, distorted new shoots in spring. Water-jet sprays; insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and parasitic wasps as biological controls.
How do I get rid of winter moth caterpillar (operophtera brumata) on wild service tree?
Young caterpillars eat into buds and developing leaves in spring, causing tattering and poor fruit set. Grease bands on trunk from October; Bt spray at bud burst; hand-pick caterpillars where accessible.
How do I get rid of pear slug sawfly (caliroa cerasi) on wild service tree?
Slug-like larvae graze the upper leaf surface leaving brown papery patches (skeletonising). Knock larvae off with a water jet; dust leaves with fine kaolin or wood ash; apply pyrethrin if populations are very high.