Identify some trees and pests (forum)

Audrey starts with ...
I have three fruit trees here and I do not know what they are..they look a little like plum, pear and peach but I am not sure. Can anyone help with identifying them? Also, they are quite infested right now and I am lost about what to do to control the situation. I have photographed two of the bugs here. Can anyone can identify them and suggest any treatment which rids them but makes the fruits safe enough to harvest? Thanks so much!!!
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4
Picture: 5

Time: 2nd November 2008 4:19pm

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About the Author au0rey
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Phil. says...
The black and orange grub in Picture 2 is the larval stage of the ladybird. Ladybird larvae are voracious predators of aphids, one of the major pests of fruit trees. Definitely don't spray them, they are a real bonus to have in your garden. You're lucky to have them.

Time: 2nd November 2008 5:15pm

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Jantina says...
Good one Phil, I never knew what ladybug larva looked like and now I do. Sorry Audrey I do not have anything useful for you.Is it possible to put one of those black bugs on a piece of white paper and take a photo for us? they are a bit hard to see.

Time: 2nd November 2008 5:24pm

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Phil. says...
Audrey - check this site for natural control of aphids (I'm sure that's what the bugs are in Pic no. 1)

www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1574850.htm

I find the parasitic wasps mentioned in the article build up in numbers as the weather warms up and devastate the aphid population here in Woodend.

Time: 2nd November 2008 8:37pm

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Arch says...
Alas and alack, natural control of aphids is like natural birth control method ; sounds good........ but you end up with unwanted little pests. I suggest you prune those branches without fruit and spray the rest with Malathion .

Time: 3rd November 2008 2:01pm

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Louis says...
Aphids don't really do much damage to a healthy tree, they're just a little unsightly.

Time: 3rd November 2008 2:08pm

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Audrey says...
Hey everybody, thanks so much for your information! Yeah Phil is right..that is a larve of the ladybug...I internet searched and found a similar picture..and I saw some moulting on the leaves into ladybugs...so they are great friends to have in the garden..Yeah I reckon those dark patches on the young green leaves are aphids...guess i cant do much about spraying the whole tree..spray bottles wont help too much for such trees..the fruits look fine for now...I think birds will come soon when they are going to ripen...So does anyone know what fruit trees they are? Thanks!

Time: 4th November 2008 7:08pm

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Audrey says...
BTW, I opted for myself to be informed when I got email responses to my posting but obviously I was not notified. I just happened to come back to this site and found all your responses. :)

Time: 4th November 2008 7:09pm

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Phil. says...
I think you're right in assuming that they're plum, peach and pear. It'll be interesting when they ripen to see which varieties you have.

Time: 4th November 2008 8:52pm

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Audrey says...
Thanks Phil! The website you posted was great and informative. Do you think I should water the trees? Hardly rain here. Will this help with getting juicer fruits?..I mean the aphids are really sucking the juice out of especially the peach tree although I have wonder lady bugs and larve helping me.

Time: 6th November 2008 3:34pm

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Phil. says...
Yes I would try and keep the water up to them - they will sometimes drop their fruit if under stress during a drought.

Time: 6th November 2008 5:18pm

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Audrey says...
oh alright! Thanks!

Time: 8th November 2008 11:16am

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Audrey says...
Gosh I was trying to trim off some peaches as the peach tree has so many of them but I accidentally broke a branch. Can I save the branch and grow a new peach tree out of it? How if I can? I have taken whatever peaches and as many leaves I could on it. There are some ladybug pupae on some of the leaves. Can I leave them in a container until they become the adults? I hope I wont be killing them. :(

Time: 10th November 2008 4:49pm

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