Please identify this pest
dorset,
United Kingdom 
Many of these are infesting my damson tree. New leaves are curling and stunted. There are also aphids and another pest like a green maggot.
1 Jun, 2009
Answers
They're Ladybird larvae as far as i know. Leave them to eat your aphids!
1 Jun, 2009
Oh goodness! Thanks Rydeboyz! Wouldn't want to destroy those great lil' cripes!
1 Jun, 2009
eugh they arent the prettiest of bugs but then the ugly duckling grew to be beautiful
I thought they were headlice!!
x x
1 Jun, 2009
they are ladybird larvae so dont squish them as they eat greenfly and other insect pests.
1 Jun, 2009
I thought they were headlce too. I've recently seen them crawling on my sons head ( rest assured, they're gone now though ).
2 Jun, 2009
headlice are about the size of a sesame seed, lady bird larva grow to about 1cm before turning into the adult beetle. i have seen my fair share of headlice too. no stop i'm starting to itch just thinking about it
:o)
2 Jun, 2009
Previous question
Welcome to GOY.
Ooooh, they don't look good! Are there too many to catch by hand and destroy? I'm an organic gardener so can't recommend any sprays to use to kill them off. Altho' seaweed solution is good coz the pests don't like the taste of it.
1 Jun, 2009