Currant blister aphids
Learn about currant bush leaf damage caused by currant blister aphids and how to get rid of them.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Time to act | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.