Identification

• Cherry slugs are small dark green to black worms that chew through cherry tree leaves. A mature cherry slug can reach up to 1/2 inch long, and its head is a bulge on one end. Younger cherry slugs are much darker in color.
  
  

Function

• Cherry slugs eat cherry leaves for a living. They do not often chew through the leaf. Rather, they eat the upper leaf surface and leave behind a trail of brown spots. If the leaf is heavily damaged, it will fall off.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Tree owners can get rid of cherry slugs by blasting a strong jet of water to knock them off the leaf. Pesticides that contain carbaryl or malathion are also effective.