Deformed leaves on Melaleuca rhaphiophylla

[GavinG]

I would be interested to know if you have tried a systemic insecticide like BugKilla - same active ingredient as Confidor, but it sits inside the leaf, and poisons what eats it. Rather than trying to spray the insect itself. Usual precautions - don't use it on anything that flowers, or anything near flowers, as it destroys bees.

Gavin

[Paulneill]

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[Paulneill]

Yea Gavin I have used lots of different insecticides including systemic ones. I don’t really like using them unless a tree is in big trouble.
These trees have been fine all year until now that The weather has cooled down.

I would like to understand what I’m actually up against here and try find an easy solution.

I would also add the tree that’s bad does have bunched up needles with a tiny larva wrapped inside.

Could be the larvae from that fly. ?

[Paulneill]

After a decent search on the internet I’m pretty sure these flys are (Rhagoletis fausta) cherry flys but it says they lay larva in cherry’s and also eat cherry’s and don’t attack other trees.
The larva on my trees also look like Rhagoletis fausta larva. Cherry flys larva.

Do cherry flys have stylets?

Yes, cherry flies, also known as cherry fruit flies, have mouthparts that include stylets. These stylets are part of their proboscis, a modified mouthpart used for piercing and sucking fluids from their food source.

They are also wide spread across Western Australia. Where I live.

[Paulneill]

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