Aphids

Scientific Family: Aphidoidea

Aphids feed on the sap tissue in leaves or through the bark. They produce enormous amounts of honeydew as their waste. Honeydew produces a sticky film on and underneath infested trees. Due to their feeding on sap tissue, they are easily controlled by systemic insecticides. Aphids do not need to mate, and are essentially born pregnant. Because of this, they can build into huge populations over a relatively short period of time.

Attacks: All tree species

What you will see:

• Extracts of the aphid ‘Honeydew’, (clear drops & sticky)
• Stunted, shriveled, or curled leaves
• Many species are green, but may be white, yellow, brown, red, black, or mottled

Life cycle:

• Overwinter as eggs on bark and needles of host plants
• In April and May, the eggs begin to hatch
• Several generations occur throughout the year
• As the colonies grow, winged forms may be produced, some species may lay eggs in the fall

Cultural Management of Aphids

Cultural practices:

• Plant flowers to provide nectar sources for aphid predators & parasites:
  • Lady beetles, green lacewings, hover flies, and parasitic wasps
• Conserve natural enemies:
  • Do not treat until aphid populations are out of natural control (exploding)

Chemical practices:

• Aphids are susceptible to both systemic and topical insecticides

Aphid Predators