Insect
Pear Psylla
Tiny jumping insects 2 - 3 mm long that produce large quantities of sticky honeydew on pear leaves, promoting sooty mould and weakening the tree.
Symptoms to Look For
- Leaves coated in sticky honeydew, blackening with sooty mould
- Premature leaf drop from heavily infested shoots
- Stunted, distorted new growth and reduced fruit size
Affected Plants
Pear
Organic Solutions
Dormant oil spray
Apply horticultural winter oil spray to all bark surfaces during dormancy to smother overwintering adults before egg-laying begins.
Kaolin clay spray
Apply kaolin clay to all foliage from bud swell through fruit set to deter adult feeding and egg-laying.
Predatory insects
Encourage lacewings and ladybirds which prey on psylla nymphs - avoid broad-spectrum sprays that would eliminate these natural enemies.
Prevention
- Prune out dense interior growth to improve air circulation and reduce humidity in the canopy
- Wash trees with a strong jet of water in spring to dislodge newly hatched nymphs
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.