The black cherry aphid, Myzus cerasi , is the most common aphid attacking cherries, primarily sweet cherries, in most parts of North America. Description and life cycle Adults and nymphs are readily identified by their shiny black coloration.
Nymphs are similar in appearance, but smaller.
Although the aphid can survive on most cherries, it prefers commercial cherry varieties, greatly preferring sweet cherries. Napolean, Black Tartarian, Schmidt, and Windsor are most susceptible to injury, while Dykeman and Yellow Spanish are not very susceptible. Alternate summer hosts include water cress, peppergrass, and members of the mustard family. The black cherry aphid overwinters as an egg on the bark of small branches. The eggs begin to hatch as soon as cherry buds break, with young aphids moving to new green tissue.