• A number of bugs are likely to infest cherry trees.American Images Inc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Cherry trees are susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, which if left uncontrolled can seriously affect harvest and long-term health of the tree. Weaker and less vigorously growing trees are more prone to diseases and insect infestation than the adequately watered and fertilized trees. It is easy to control diseases and insects on cherry trees with regular application of insecticides and fungicides. Growing disease-resistant varieties is one of the best ways to reduce chances of disease and pests.
  
  

Black Cherry Aphids

• Black cherry aphids (Myzus cerasi) are large, shiny black insects that overwinter on the cherry tree twigs and fruit spurs in the form of glossy, black eggs. These eggs hatch shortly before the trees bloom and the insect population rapidly increases by early spring by going through multiple generations. The insects are most damaging to the younger trees where they cause foliage curling and distortion. Black cherry aphids are most effectively controlled with insecticides used on tree during the dormant period. The use of natural enemies such as lady beetles and lacewing may also be used to control insects.
  
  

Cherry Slug

• Cherry slugs (Caliroa cerasi) are 0.2 inch long, small, shiny sawflies with brown headed, white larva. The larva of the insects start to produce an olive green film soon after hatching, which covers their bodies and makes them resemble slugs. The mature larva is about 1/2 inch long with the head wider than the lower body. The insects overwinter in the soil as pupae and go through two generations every year. Cherry slugs commonly affect the cherry trees growing in the coastal regions and damage trees by eating foliage tissue, leaving behind skeletons of leaf veins. In cases of severe infestation, the fruit size is affected. Control includes the use of spinosad, spinetoram and diazinon.
  
  

Shothole Borer

• Shothole borers (Scolytus rugulosus) are small brown or black beetles with legless white grubs that eat through the sapwood, reducing it to a powder. The female adults eat small holes in the bark and lay their eggs in the cambium tree layer. As the grubs hatch, they start to excavate the tree sapwood. Shothole borers are most common on weak or stressed trees since healthy trees produce a resin that is poisonous to the insects. Seriously infested trees are best removed entirely. There are no chemical controls for the control of the insects.