Redbud insect infestation - Ask Extension
We just came back from vacation to find our red but covered in…something? It’s like a mass of insect eggs but mixed in are tons of insects with wi...
Knowledgebase
Redbud insect infestation #829026
Asked May 08, 2023, 4:10 PM EDT
We just came back from vacation to find our red but covered in…something? It’s like a mass of insect eggs but mixed in are tons of insects with wings, crawling mite looking insects, and even caterpillars. I can’t figure out what it is, if it’s harmful, or if it is harmful, how to get rid of it. I appreciate your help!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
It looks like the Redbud was infested with Giant Bark Aphids which can be common with Redbuds, but they are being parasitized by a wasp and resulting in aphid 'mummies' (you can see the exit hole on some of them. You can read about a similar instance here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-05/21May07L-A.pdf (pages 12/13).
Emily
Thank you! I never would have figured that out on my own. Should I try spraying the remainder of the aphids off with soapy water, or should I just wait and see if the wasps finish the job?
Allison
You could wait and see for a bit. Nature is doing its thing! If its another a few weeks and looks like it is getting worse, you can just use a strong hose blast as opposed to soapy water, or scrape them off into soapy water. The wasps are not ones that should sting.
