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Production Perils 3

(The Tart Cherry Industry - continued)

Insects

• Black Cherry Aphids

  This insect causes the tender young leaves of the cherry tree to curl early in the season, which checks foliage growth. Black cherry aphids rarely cause serious damage to tart cherries, however.

• Plum Curculios

  The plum curculio is a brown beetle that overwinters in debris in orchards or nearby areas. Soon after the trees bloom, the curculios move to the cherry trees where the females insert their eggs beneath the skin of the young fruit. The eggs hatch into curculio larvae (or grubs) which feed within the cherry fruit. Plum curculios are not reported to be a serious problem for tart cherries because they are adequately controlled by insecticide sprays.

• Fruit Flies

  The maggots of two species of fruit flies can infest tart cherry fruit. Maggots cause the fruit to be misshapen and discolored, and unsuitable for human consumption. Fruit flies generally are adequately controlled with the application of insecticide sprays.

• Pearslugs

  The pearslug, also called the cherry slug, is a slimy, dark worm that feeds on the leaves of the cherry tree. The slugs appear on the trees in May or June, and a second brood may appear in mid- to latesummer. Damage usually does not reach an economic threshold level.

  Birds

  Birds cause low-level losses among tart cherries. If significant damage were to occur, it would likely be in small plantings in isolated areas where feeding is concentrated among a few trees. Birds prefer sweet cherries to tart cherries, and if there are sweet cherries nearby, bird feeding will be lighter among the tart cherries.
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