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Aphids
Homoptera: Aphididae
PESTS
Aphids are small (1/8 inch or less), soft bodied insects that cluster on young, tender plant growth. Their pear-shaped bodies have long legs and long antennae. They may be winged or wingless. Aphid species exhibit a variety of colors—red, yellow, black, gray, brown, green.
Life Cycle:
Egg, nymph, adult. Aphids complete their life cycle in one to two weeks and several generations can develop in one season. Most adults seen are wingless females. Under overcrowded conditions, after changes in day length, or when the host plant declines, winged adults develop.
Diet:
Aphids use their piercing-sucking mouth parts to feed on plant juices. Although aphids rarely kill a plant, large infestations can cause wilting, leaf distortion, yellowing and stunted growth. Aphids can also harm plants by transmitting viruses that cause plant disease or by injecting toxins. As aphids feed, they excrete honeydew—a clear, sugary, sticky liquid. A black, sooty mold often grows on the honeydew that collects on leaves causing the plant to be unattractive.
Control:
Infested plant parts can be removed and destroyed. Aphids can also be removed from plants with a forceful stream of water. Beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps and lady beetles (both adults and larvae) feed on aphids. Improving soil will make plants more healthy and unlikely to attract aphids. Chemical control will destroy beneficial insects as well as aphids.
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