Japanese Maple Pests

We have some unique pests to deal with in Australia. Post your experiences and treatments here for others to learn from.
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mickaus
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Japanese Maple Pests

Post by mickaus »

Hello everyone

I have a ton of little black bugs that resemble tiny spiders on my Japanese Maple. They seem to be congregating around the new buds forming.

I have attached a picture although I don't know how much it will help as it was taken with an old iPhone 3GS.
IMG_0606.JPG
Any ideas what they might be and how I should go about getting rid of them?
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Mojo Moyogi
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Mojo Moyogi »

Hi Mick, they look a little large to be red spider mite or 2 spotted mites. My guess is that they are just harmless little spiders.

Cheers,
Mojo
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mickaus
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by mickaus »

Thats good to hear, but a little creepy as well. There are probably 80 of them on a very small plant
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Edward Scissorhand »

Better to get rid of them. If you dont want to kill them, just hose them off. They could be aphids.
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Andrew E »

More than likely aphids. For them to be congregating at the new buds, that sounds like them. hose or insecticide. I'd spray,.
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by mickaus »

Thanks, better safe than sorry I guess
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Maple Leaf »

20160220_182929.jpg
Hi All,

I'm brand new in this fantastic community and in desperate need of help to identify this pest

Don't know if the same is cause of the leaves disease

Thanks all in advance

ML
2016-02-20 18.47.50.jpg
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Maple Leaf »

2016-02-21 13.27.52.jpg
And here it's a better one...
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Maple Leaf »

Any help guys? Please! :-(
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Black Knight »

Hi Maple Leaf,

Picture shows Mealy Bugs to me which suck the sap out of young shoots & the sap will then attract ants. Try Confidor or a strong hose in the interim to slow them down.
Regards,

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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Maple Leaf »

Thanks Black Knight. Much appreciated.

These kinds of insects are only on the soil. None on the leaves. My fear is that they are eating the roots. And I don't knower if the drying leaves are an effect of that or just the incoming autumn...
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Re: Japanese Maple Pests

Post by Black Knight »

Hi Maple Leaf,

Mealy Bugs will also attack the roots.

Regards,

Black Knight
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