Insects eating Jap Maple

[Groovemaster]

Im noticing leaves being chomped on my acer. Quite a few ants climbing around the tips and lots of beetle like insects too! Can i just spray on some westlands Resolve bug killer without harming the tree?

[Chrissyteacup]

Sounds like aphids if the ants are “farming” them but never seen them that colour before, it may be worth trying a mild washing up liquid solution but never tried it on an Acer. I’m sure someone wiser will come along and help soon!

[Bluenowhere]

I had lots of little beetles, not aphids, earlier in the year as the leaves had just opened on my acer. From memory they looked somewhat similar to yours but have no idea what they are.

Used roseclear which was what I had to hand as there were hundreds and they were devastating it. The acer is doing well so didn’t seem to cause it any harm and it killed the beetles so solved my issue and they haven’t come back. My thinking was the eating of the leaves/bark was far more likely to make it die than the spray.

[Babru]

I had these beetles on my acer a few years ago. It was too big to treat so I just let them get on with it. The acer survived, and the beetles didn't return the following year. Still don't know what they were though.