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White willow · Salix alba

What are these tiny bugs on my white willow?

If you notice sticky residue or curling on new growth, you likely have an aphid infestation. These small insects love the tender shoots of the white willow.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look for tiny insects on the underside of new leaves.
  2. Check for sticky honeydew on the foliage.
  3. See if ants are traveling up the trunk.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see clusters of tiny green or black insects on the undersides of leaves. They leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the affected branches with a strong stream of water from a garden hose. If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap according to the package directions.

  2. Ants

    Possible

    How to tell: If you see ants crawling up and down the trunk, they are likely farming the aphids for honeydew. They protect the aphids from predators.

    What to do: Place a sticky barrier around the trunk to stop ants from climbing. This allows natural predators like ladybugs to control the aphid population.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your white willow

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

A few aphids are normal and usually controlled by beneficial insects. Worry only if the new growth is severely stunted or covered in black sooty mold.

Stopping it coming back

Avoid over fertilizing, as this creates a flush of soft growth that attracts aphids. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings in your garden.

White willow: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white willow and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Can I just leave the aphids alone?
Yes, if the tree is large and healthy, natural predators will usually take care of them. Only intervene if the tree looks stressed.
What is the sticky stuff on the leaves?
That is honeydew, which is the waste produced by aphids. It can sometimes lead to black sooty mold growth.

Guides to these causes

More problems with White willow

Back to the White willow guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.