r/GardeningAustralia • u/Sweeper1985 • 16h ago

What are these eggs? 🐜 ID This Bug

Post image

And how do I best get rid of them from my cherry tree? Thanks!

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11

u/Aussiealterego 16h ago

They’re not eggs, they are glands that attract beneficial insects. They are called extrafloral nectaries.

2

u/Sweeper1985 16h ago

Oh thank you, I've only just planted this tree a few months ago, never had a cherry before and don't know what I'm doing.

Now glad I didn't pick them off!

4

u/rodgeramjit 16h ago

As a new cherry tree owner what you want to keep an eye for is cherry slug. They are tiny (half a cm) black slugs that will eat all your new leaves. Just keep an eye out like you are already, and if you see leaf damage, look for the bastards and flick them into the sun.

3

u/Show_Me_Your_Rocket 16h ago

A fix for those is talcum powder! Interestingly, they're actually grubs covered with mucus and the larval form of a species of sawfly.

2

u/PirateGus 16h ago

Are they eggs or just part of the tree? We have them too so would be interested in what others have to say.