- Aphids are the primary pests of crape myrtles. These insects are often black, brown or white or can be bright pink, yellow or red. Aphids are rarely larger than 1/8 inch in length at maturity. Many plants are hosts to more than one species of aphid. Some plants are highly susceptible to aphid feeding and experience adverse effects as a result. Aphids feed on crape myrtles with sharp mouthparts that they use to extract plant juices from the foliage.
- Aphid feeding often causes crape myrtle leaves to develop tiny white or yellow flecks, curled or yellow leaves and overall wilting of foliage. New buds and shoots often die-back as a result of aphid feeding. Aphids excrete a substance after feeding, which is called honeydew. This substance falls onto crape myrtles and causes gray sooty mold fungi to stick to it. Sooty mold is not harmful, but it causes crape myrtles to develop an unsightly gray or black fungal coating on leaves, flowers and new shoots.
- Control light infestations of black aphids on crape myrtles by spraying a stream of water onto the plant, twice each week. This knocks aphids from crape myrtle leaves and branches, keeping them under control. Another way to remove aphids from your crape myrtle is by soaking a cotton ball or cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wiping aphids from the tree leaves. A number of parasitic wasps and insects are natural predators that feed on aphids. Parasitic wasps cause aphids to turn dark brown or black and appear bloated before they die. Aphids that die in this manner are called mummies.
- Heavy infestations of aphids often require chemical control methods. Horticultural oils, available in garden centers, are recommended for aphid control. These oils work on contact with insects and cover their air holes, causing the insects to suffocate and die. Cover your crape myrtle completely with horticultural oils for best results. Foliar sprays are also available for aphid control and may need to be reapplied to prevent re-infestation.
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