Currant leaves blistered and discoloured by currant blister aphids

Currant blister aphids

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 17 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Learn about currant bush leaf damage caused by currant blister aphids and how to get rid of them.

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Sap-sucking aphids are problematic for currant bushes. In spring, they cause the foliage to become blistered and puckered, as well as discolouring areas, leaving yellowish-green or red patches. The aphids then fly to hedge woundwort, a wildflower, for the rest of the summer, but return to the currants in autumn to lay their eggs. Since the currant crop isn't affected, action isn't essential.

Symptoms

Sap-sucking aphids cause the leaves of currant bushes to become distorted, with raised, puckered areas and patches of yellow-green or red.

Find it on

blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants

Organic

Attract birds, ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies and wasps into the garden, all of which rely on aphids to feed their young.

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