Pollen beetles are benign but (a) unsightly and (b) they certainly have harmed my roses. The blooms did not come out properly and wilted straight away. Not what you want of a patio rose! if they go for the pollen what effect does this have on bees? (I'm not a biologist)

I would guess aphids as well, but without a picture there is no way to be sure. My Japanese maples were loaded with aphids this year, but within a few weeks the natural predators kicked in and now the aphids are almost entirely gone. Aphid infestations tend to occur at times of weather changes, i.e. when it starts to get warmer in the spring. Give it a couple of weeks and see what happens unless the infestation is really heavy. Is there a clear sticky substance on the leaves and on things underneath the tree? This would make an aphid infestation even more likely. Hope this helps. -Brett

Thanks for all your responses! I looked closely again at the leaves and I believe I have thrips. UGH!! There are some tiny yellow/orange super slow crawling things on the leaves. So mad! I have no idea where they came from, especially since I live in a high rise in the city and my window is only occasionally open to air out my plant. I made some homemade chili pepper (serano) and garlic spray and sprayed the plant...I hope that solves it? Man...growing a plant is a lot more difficult than I though it would be. ;p Fingers crossed the spray kills the thrips and not my plant.

I think you must have a serious root issue. It sounds like it's slowly dehydrating, so not taking up water. I think you should take cuttings right away, put them in some of your soil and put it in a humidity dome. You can make one with an aquarium, or you can go to your local nursery and get one cheap. They sell the tray and the dome separately...I've had a plethora of plants pop back from near death in these domes. Sometimes, plants get a little over watered, or the soil becomes sour/toxic as it breaks down and a plant dehydrates. I would save what's left of the old plant and see if it comes back - it may recover. Denise in Omaha