Identification
The various species of aphids can be identified by their pear-shaped bodies and the presence of two short tubes, called cornicles, projecting rearward. Aphids are quite small, ranging from 1 to 10 millimeters in length depending on the species. They come in various colors, including green, yellow, black, brown and red and are usually found on the underside of leaves, on stems or in flower buds, feeding in clusters.
Wooly Apple Aphid: The wooly apple aphid is pear-shaped and grows to 1.2-to-2.5 millimeters long. These aphids earned their name due to their practice of feeding on the bark and roots of apple trees. They leave behind abnormal growths, or galls, on the stems where they have fed. They have dark bodies whose color is obscured by the fluffy, white, wax-like substance they produce on their abdomen, which creates their wooly appearance.
Green Peach Aphid: The green peach aphid is also called greenfly or the peach-potato aphid. It grows to 1.7-to-2 millimeters long. It is light to dark green or pink in color, with red eyes and three dark stripes running down its back. Its cornicles are the same color as its body and darker at the flared tip.
Rose Aphids: Rose aphids are the most common and prolific of all the aphids. They are pear-shaped and either pink or green in color, growing up to 3.5 millimeters long. Rose aphids have long legs and sometimes have black knees. They primarily infest rose bushes, collecting in clusters around rose flower buds, stems, shoots and leaves.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of aphids is complex and varies among species. Many aphids can reproduce asexually, allowing populations to grow rapidly under favorable conditions. In spring and summer, females produce live young – without mating – in a rapid cycle that can lead to explosive population growth, with several generations overlapping in a single season. Some species also produce winged individuals that can disperse to new host plants, spreading infestations. As colder weather approaches in fall, aphids may produce eggs that overwinter which ensures their survival and continuation the following year.
Distribution & Habitat
Aphids are found worldwide, thriving in a variety of environments but showing a preference for temperate zones. Their populations tend to be higher in areas with lush vegetation and can vary significantly with the seasons, often peaking during the warmer months of the growing season. Aphids typically favor young, tender growth and are commonly found on leaves, stems, and sometimes roots of plants. They are highly adaptable and their preferred habitats are as diverse as their species, commonly affecting garden favorites and commercially important trees and shrubs, from ornamental gardens to agricultural crops.
Damage & Symptoms
Aphid feeding can lead to a host of issues for trees and shrubs. They extract sap from the plant, resulting in yellowed and distorted leaves, stunted growth, and reduced plant vigor Additionally, aphids excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew, which can attract ants and lead to the growth of a fungal disease called sooty mold. This mold not only blemishes the appearance of the plant but can also interfere with photosynthesis, further diminishing the plant’s health. Aphids can also transmit plant viruses, compounding the damage they cause.
Management & Control
Prevention
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