Unidentifiable black pests!

[Tumpet2000]

So my beloved deshojo maple has suddenly become subject to these strange, small black pests, which crush like bugs when touched, a are found between buds and on branches.

Everyone I have spoken to is struggling to identify what these may be, but I’m eager to find out so I can protect the tree!

I’m in the UK by the way.

All and any advice very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Firstflush]

Looks like a type of scale. Scrape the big amounts off by hand then neem oil and soapy water spray should work to confirm eradication.

 

[ajm55555]

Aphids? They can be black.

 

[Tumpet2000]

Looks like a type of scale. Scrape the big amounts off by hand then neem oil and soapy water spray should work to confirm eradication.

I thought this originally, but are they not w not too small?
I’ll be doing as you advise anyway, since this seems to only definitive way of removing them.

 

[Tumpet2000]

Aphids? They can be black.

I think they’re too small - I can’t even see their legs

 

[ajm55555]

I think they’re too small - I can’t even see their legs

If you gently shake the branch, they should move if they're aphids. Anyway, I'd remove them by hand as much as possible and check back every day until they go extinct.

 

[Lutonian]

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/bug-clear-ultra-gun-1l/p/0263120. I use this widely available in uk. It is safe on maples I use it on mine

 

[sorce]

Twig pic doesn't look the same as the other.

Seems like them little black glassy algae eaters that I say will eat new foilage if there is no algae and it looks like you got no algae.

Sorce

 

[Firstflush]

I thought this originally, but are they not w not too small?
I’ll be doing as you advise anyway, since this seems to only definitive way of removing them.

Unless they are moving....scale look like tiny barnacles on a rock ocean jetty. There are many varietys.

 

[Firstflush]

I highly recommend 100% cold pressed neem....not “hydrophobic extract”. It’s a certified organic input so you can buy online.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Does this tree live indoors?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

In spring, aphids stay tiny and have poor limb development due to the cold. Later in the season when temperatures rise they'll grow bigger.
A simple aphid insecticide will do fine. I'm a big fan of neem oil, because it works for me.