![Green apple aphid damage to Bramley fruit Green apple aphid damage to Bramley fruit](https://www.niab.com/sites/default/files/styles/320-3x4/public/content/pages/images/A2%20%28B%29%20Green%20apple%20aphid%20damage%20to%20bramley%20fruit.jpg?itok=y5y7hl6c)
Spring attacks are unimportant. Large colonies may develop in the shoots in summer, causing considerable leaf curl, stunting and shoot tips may be killed.
- This damage is important on nursery stock and young trees. In established orchards, infestation of up to 10% of shoots can be tolerated (see ‘Monitoring’).
- However, if colonies are large, fruit beneath may be contaminated with honeydew and cast skins.
- Colonies are usually attended by the common black ant Lasius niger, which feeds on the honeydew produced by the aphids and helps to prevent contamination of the foliage.