
By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener What are black cherry aphids? As you might suspect, black cherry aphids are a problem of cherry growers across nearly every region of the United States. While the pests will feed on any type of cherry, sweet cherries are most susceptible. Fortunately, managing black cherry aphids is possible, and damage is usually minimal if the pests are properly controlled in early spring. However, damage is sometimes severe on young trees, where even a few of the pests can create havoc. Read on for more black cherry aphid information and tips on black cherry aphid treatment. Signs of Black Cherry Aphids Black cherry aphids are easy to spot. They are shiny, metallic black, and at 1/8 inch (.3 cm.), are quite a bit larger than most aphids. The pests emerge from eggs that overwintered in the bark, hatching as soon as buds