All about Aphids!

  Aphids The Aphids are members of the Aphidoidea family. They are basically sap-sucking insects. These insects have different names inclu...

 

Aphids

The Aphids are members of the Aphidoidea family. They are basically sap-sucking insects. These insects have different names including greenfly and black fly.  About 5,000 species of aphids have been described till now in Aphididae family.

Reproduction 

The flightless female aphids give birth to small female nymphs, which may also be pregnant. These nymphs mature rapidly and give birth profoundly.  Thus, they grow in large numbers. All this happens without the involvement of males. This process is called telescopic development.

Later in the season, these females may develop wings to colonize new plants. However, reproduction occurs sexually also in temperate regions during autumn.

Species of Aphids 

There are about 5,000 species of aphids in the family Aphididae. Among them, 400 species are known to feed on food and fiber crops. Damaging the crops seriously, some species feed on a single type of plant while most of them feed on several types of plants.

In addition to sucking the sap out, they act as vectors for several types of plant viruses. Aphids are known to deposit honeydews on the plants they feed on. Subsequently, sooty molds grow on foliage.

The dairying ants feed on these honeydew deposits and protect aphids from predators.

Characteristics

Aphids mostly measure under 1/4 inch. So, they are nearly invisible to bare eyes. They may have different colors including white, black, grey, pink, brown, and even pink!

They have pear-shaped bodies. Some species of aphids may also have waxy or woolly coatings on their bodies. They usually have two long antennae in front and two short tubes called cornicles at back. Their mouthparts have special needle-like structures to force suck the sap from the plants.

Generally, they colonize plants in large numbers. It is very rare to see them singly or as a small group.

Aphid Damage 

Most species of aphids, readily infect succulent fresh growth. Being said that, even healthy matured plants cannot escape aphids under favorable conditions. Aphids mostly hide the underside of the leaves. These pests inflict the most damage on plants in warm temperatures (65 – 80 F). In fact, these pests mostly infect plants in mid - late spring.

The infected foliage may shrivel, curl or decolor. Also, the infected parts may have honeydew’ stuck on them. This leads to the growth of a fungus called sooty mold that causes black formation.

The infected flowers and fruits distort and deform, thereby losing their flavor. Some species can damage roots too! The infected plants may attract other harmful viruses that may kill the plant by causing deadly diseases.

Treating Aphids 

You can control these pests with natural or organic methods instead of chemicals. Some insects and birds are known predators of these insects. Since they tend to move slowly, you can remove them by hand too.

These insects are known for their prolific multiplication.  Hence, you may have to try different methods to control them which may take time. So, until you see the results, you have to be patient!

You can just remove them with hands wearing gloves if they are less in numbers. Alternatively, you can just cut off the affected portions from plants. Either way, put the Aphids or cut out infected portions in soapy water contained bucket. In this way, you can completely destroy these pests.

In the initial stages of infection, you can use pressure water from hoses to blast Aphids off the plants. You can practice this method in matured plants and not in tender seedlings.

Plants that Keep Aphids Away 

By nature, some plants can attract beneficial insects that can eat away aphids and some other plant pests. Some plants are known to repel these pests. Similarly, some variety of plants can lure Aphids so that your target plant is protected.

Plants attracting beneficial insects - Dill, fennel, mint, clover, yarrow

Aphid repellent plants – Garlic, allium, onion, chives, catnip

Plants luring Aphids – Nasturtium, Zinnias, asters, mustard, cosmos, dahlias

Natural Predators 

Lady beetles

This method is effective, particularly during a heavy Aphid infection. But this may also be time-consuming.

Purchase lady beetles from nurseries and release them during cooler parts of the day (early morning or evening). Before that mist the plants. This helps the beetles to halt for drinking water as most of them fly away within a few days.

The remaining beetles feed on the Aphids, mate readily and lay eggs. The resulting larvae are more ferocious predators of these pests than the adults.

As the beetle population decreases, repeat the application a few times more until the pests are completely gone.

Green lacewings

Green lacewings larvae can further accelerate the process of removing aphids. They too are known predators of plant pests including Aphids. You can purchase them online or at local nurseries.

Birds

You can attract bug-eating birds such as wrens or chickadees to get rid of Aphids. Install birdbaths or provide birdhouses to them. Or grow small trees and shrubs so that they can build their nests.

Organic Methods 

Insecticidal soap solution

You can prepare insecticidal soap solutions at home easily. Just mix pure liquid soap such as Castile (one tablespoon) in water (per quart). For maximum effectiveness, use as quickly as possible after preparing the solution.

Avoid using detergents that contain harmful chemicals. They may be dangerous to your plants. Also, hard water decreases the effectiveness. So, use soft water for preparing the solution.

Spray the solution on infected parts thoroughly. It dissolves the outer cover protection of soft-bodied insects like Aphids and kill them. But it is not dangerous to beneficial insects (they have hard bodies) and birds.

Neem oil

Neem oil effectively controls pests and other harmful viruses. However, it may repel garden-friendly beneficial insects also. Hence, practice caution while spraying neem oils.

Root Aphids 

Mostly, root aphids attack indoor plants. They do attack outdoor plants too! You can identify the infection by common signs like curled or yellowed leaves. The infected plants become vulnerable to other harmful diseases like root rots.

In addition to common aphid treatments, the introduction of beneficial nematodes is also essential to the infected soils. These nematodes protect plants from various soil-borne pests including root Aphids. However. They will not harm beneficial invertebrates like earthworms.

You have to careful while working with infected plants. The infection spreads easily when the infected soil is transmitted to other areas through shoe soles or hand drops.

Preventing Aphids 

Most pests including Aphids love to settle on some type of weeds like sowthistle. Hence, remove the weeds regularly. Over-fertilizing causes excess nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth in plants. Aphids love to feed on this type of foliage. So, only use slow-release fertilizers or organic matter to feed your plants.

Protect young plants with floating row covers. Prune matured plants on recommended seasons (not before). While doing so, remove and dispose of the infected parts immediately.

In addition, rake your gardens periodically and dispose of the debris completely. These steps help to prevent Aphids and other pets to a large extent.

For more information, please click here!