Ants tending Aphids and collecting honeydew

Aphids and Their Control

Aphid feeding on plant leaf
Aphids are probably the most notorious pests in the world and they seem to cause us problems both early and late in the growing season.

Though there are many types of aphids — some 4,000 species have been counted — most of those born from over-wintered eggs arrive already pregnant. This is one of the major divisions between aphid types. Many kinds of aphids give birth, amazingly, to live young. In warmer climates, aphids may go through as many as 12 generations before laying eggs to over winter. This explains why you might see a few aphids one day and a full-blown infestation the next.

  Early Spring Aphids

Those first aphids you discover in the spring were probably hatched from over-wintered eggs. That’s why garden cleanliness — keeping places where the eggs might survive the frozen months — is important to aphid control. On the other hand, once hatched, the young nymphs can be carried over great distances by the wind.

  Aphid Life Cycle

In spring an egg hatches, producing a wingless female aphid who soon begins parthenogenetically (reproduction in which an egg develops into a new individual without being fertilized) producing new wingless females. Generation after generation of wingless females survive one another until hot weather comes or maybe the plant on which they are living dies and then suddenly some of the females grow wings and fly off.

Though aphids look so plump and dumpy that they could never fly far, in fact they can travel hundreds of miles with the assistance of low-level jet winds.

This new generation of female winged aphid very well may at this time find a plant host of a completely different species from that on which their spring generations developed. For instance, Green Peach Aphids overwinter as eggs on peach and related trees but in spring they move to various weeds and agricultural crops, and then still later they move onto potato crops, only in the fall returning to peach and related trees.

A newly born aphid becomes a reproducing adult within about a week and then can produce up to 5 offspring per day for up to 30 days!

  How Aphids Harm The Garden

If aphids aren’t controlled or defeated early in the game before damaged plant parts can be auto-corrected and outgrown, they can cause considerable economic damage to an otherwise beautiful garden.

An aphid feeds by inserting its proboscis, stylet or straw-like mouthpart into the phloem or inner cells of a plant. Upon insertion the aphid draws the plant’s juices or sap.

How Do Aphids Damage Plants?

  Feeding activity will normally cause leaf and stem deformities

  Feeding activity can aid the transmission of various plant diseases, both bacterial and viral

  Aphid infestation can lead to leaf and stem deformities causing damage to both the plant's appearance and value

  If you have a serious aphid infestation, you may find the sticky honeydew on surfaces surrounding the afflicted plant which is attractive to garden pests.

Read more: Ants and Honeydew

  Environmentally Safe Aphid Control

Aphid anatomy

  Green Lacewings

Green Lacewings feed on a large number of soft bodied pests, mites and insect eggs. A voracious predator, they can consume as many as 60 aphids an hour. Shipped as eggs packed in a carrier (rice hulls), larvae soon hatch out and will feed for 2-3 weeks before becoming adults.

  Soap and Water

Make a homemade aphid spray by mixing a few tablespoons of a pure liquid soap (such as castile) in a small bucket of water. Avoid using detergents or products with degreasers or moisturizers. Apply with a spray bottle directly on aphids and the affected parts of the plant, making sure to soak the undersides of leaves where eggs and larvae like to hide. The soap dissolves the protective outer layer of aphids and other soft-bodied insects, eventually killing them. It doesn’t harm birds or hard-bodied beneficial insects like lacewings, ladybugs or pollinating bees. You can also purchase ready-to-use insecticidal soaps online or at a local nursery.

  Neem Oil

The organic compounds in neem oil act as a repellent for aphids and other insects, including mealy bugs, cabbage worms, beetles, leafminers, ants and various types of caterpillars. However, it may repel beneficial insects, so use caution when and where they are present. Follow package instructions for diluting the oil in water or use a ready-to-use neem oil spray, and spray the affected areas. Neem oil is also good for controlling different types of fungus.

  Lady Bugs

Insect fighting Ladybug (Lady Beetle) Adult Ladybugs (ladybeetles) don't eat nearly as many aphids as they do in their larval stage, which is why many people are disappointed with the lack of control they see after releasing purchased live ladybugs into their garden. There needs to be a large enough aphid population to keep the ladybugs fed long enough to mate and lay eggs — because it’s the larvae that eat the most aphids.

Read more: Beneficial Insects: Lady Bugs.

  Nitrogen Application

Discouraging early season aphids is helped by controlling the nitrogen your plants are getting. Using soluble nitrogen fertilizer early in the growing stages (often just when you want to use it). Aphids are attracted by high levels of nitrogen in plants. That’s why you might find plants you’ve just pruned attacked. The aphids will seek out the high-nitrogen new growth that comes of pruning. Instead of highly soluble nitrogen fertilizers, including manures and fish emulsions, use something that’s slow-released. When fertilizing roses, peonies or other flowers, use a formula that’s higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. Keep pruning to a minimum if you’re having aphid trouble.

Further Information on Garden Pests:

 Groundhog Facts and Control
 YIKES! Jumping Worms
 How To Get Rid Of Ants
 Voles — The Good and the Bad

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