Tiny greenish or reddish bugs that fix themselves to the bottoms of apple, pear, and plum leaves and suck plant juices. Leaves may curl. Aphids also produce a sticky honeydew that attracts ants and sometimes forms a black mold. Woolly apple aphids leave white, cottony puffs along twigs. Spray with dormant oil in late winter, then follow a regular program of all-purpose spray throughout the season. For severe infestations, spray with malathion, carbaryl, or diazinon following direcions on the label. Encourage or import lacewings, ladybugs, or trichogamma wasps.
