Tiny bugs - not aphids - on my apple tree.

fireweed_1947

10 years ago

I've tiny bugs on the leaves of my apple tree. They are only 2 millimetres, round, and appear to be mottled with black and white. I have not put them under a "glass" but they appear to have wings - when I turned a leaf for a better look I saw for a moment what looked like the ends of wings slide out at the rear of the bug. There are lots of them. The apples are approx. 1/4 " in size. I've also got a leaf curler of some sort, a dark slender bug about 1/3rd" long, and a slender green lace wing about 1/2" long . Any ideas as to what they are? And what spray to use? Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

The tiny round bug is Psyllobora vigintimaculata - Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle (often some of the spots are overlapping), or possibly P. borealis (the western version). These lady beetles eat fungus and powdery mildew.

The larva could be a leaf-roller or leaf-tier caterpillar.

You would have to cut into the fruit to see if there was a moth or a fly larva inside.

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Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
Need to see to ID :-)) Photos please!!
fireweed_1947 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
Sorry! I will send them as soon as I get my PC back from repair shop!!
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lucky_p
10 years ago
Not every 'bug' warrants a spray.
fireweed_1947 thanked lucky_p
Jean
10 years ago
Very good chance they are aphids. (Those little fellows come in various colors, also with wings or without.)

What sort of damage do you see?
fireweed_1947 thanked Jean
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
No. Not aphids. Tiny round bugs 2 mm appear to be black and white. If I were guessing I would say they look like tiny round apple maggot flies.
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
I've never seen an aphid like the tiny mottled round bug. I've a pic of a larvae which was hidden in a folded leaf but slid down a silk thread when I disturbed it. Also a leaf roller nest, I think.
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
Haven't checked this tree for fruit damage today. But at least 2 tiny apples on another tree have pinholes. I compared the round bug with an apple maggot fly because of the coloring. Sorry the larvae is blurred - The breeze didn't help.
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
I think Something on this tree does warrant a spray.
fireweed_1947
Original Author
10 years ago
What an enormous name for such a tiny little thing. I've never seen one before but I'm glad it's a good bug. I will check the fruit for larva. There are lots of little apples this year so I hope they don't all get ruined. Thank you for the information. Next time I inspect the trees I'll take my large magnifying glass.