Aphids, an Introduction
The aphids are probably best known as "greenfly", "blackfly" and "white fly". They belong to a group of insects known as "bugs" or Hemiptera, the mouth parts of which are modified to form piercing and sucking tubes. The insects obtain their food by sucking plant juices or the blood of other animals. This group of insects has an incomplete metamorphosis, there being no pupal stage but a series of molts in which the nymph gradually becomes a mature adult.
There are over 4000 species and varieties of aphids but the account given below applies in general to those commonly encountered as garden and orchard pests.
Life history. In October the females lay eggs usually on the stems of trees or shrubs. The eggs are black, with thick shells, and can withstand extremes of temperature. It is in the egg form only that aphids pass the winter. In March the eggs hatch out into wingless female nymphs which are similar to the adults, with three pairs of legs, compound eyes, antennae, etc. There is no larval or pupal stage comparable to those of the butterfly, but with successive molts and continuous growth, the nymphs become mature females. No males are hatched at all.
The daughters grow quickly and have offspring by parthenogenesis. Some of these develop wings that grow larger at each molt. These winged daughters fly off to herbaceous plants such as a rose or bean plant. The aphids are not strong flyers but tend to be carried by chance air currents rather than make direct flights.
In October the first males appear. They have wings and fly to a tree. Winged females fly to the same tree and there give birth to wingless daughters. The males mate with these when mature, and the wingless females subsequently lay eggs on the twigs of the tree. The eggs remain dormant until the following spring when the tree buds begin to sprout.
Regenerative Landscape Design - Online Interactive Course
Want to learn how to design, build and manage regenerative landscapes? Join us on our Regenerative Landscape Design - Online Interactive Course. We look forward to providing you with the confidence, inspiration, and opportunity to design, build and manage regenerative landscapes, gardens, and farms that produce food and other resources for humans while enhancing biodiversity.
You can find the course details here and at the moment we have a $350 ( 20%) discount for full enrollment to the course. Just use RLD2024 in the promo code section of the registration form to receive your discount.
Feeding habits. An aphid feeds by inserting its proboscis, stylet or straw-like mouthpart into the phloem or inner cells of a plant.
- Natural predators: Many insects and other animals feed on aphids, including ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. Encouraging these natural predators to live in your garden can help to control aphid populations.
- Water: A strong blast of water from a hose can knock aphids off of plants. This method is best for small infestations and should be repeated every few days.
- Soap and water: Mixing a small amount of dish soap with water in a spray bottle can create a solution that can kill aphids on contact.
- Neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can be effective at controlling aphids. It should be applied according to the instructions on the product label. It's worth noting that natural insecticides will still cause harm to other organisms and are best suited to use on house plants or greenhouse plants where natural predators will unlikely be present.
Support Our Project
If you appreciate the work we are doing you can show your support in several ways.
Become a member of the Polyculture Project by subscribing to our Substack
Make a purchase of plants or seeds from our nursery or Online Store
Consider joining us for one of our Courses or Online Courses
Comment, like, and share our content on social media.
Make a direct donation via PayPal to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com
If you appreciate the work we are doing you can show your support in several ways.
Become a member of the Polyculture Project by subscribing to our Substack
Make a purchase of plants or seeds from our nursery or Online Store
Consider joining us for one of our Courses or Online Courses
Comment, like, and share our content on social media.
Make a direct donation via PayPal to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com
Lovely... I never imagine that ants can so naturaly defend some pests! :)
ReplyDeleteAphids are specialist feeders, they can only digest one family of plants, so they cannot spread to nearby plants unless they are of the same genus. Ladybugs, lacewing and hoverfly larva are generalist feeders and can eat all types of aphids. By planting an aphid trap plant that grows shoots early (we use elderberry) and leaving the aphids, you will attract beneficials. Ladybugs will lays batches of 30 eggs within a week of discovering your 'trap'. Then their nymphs will clean your tree, molt and protect your garden for the whole summer from the waves of other species of aphids. It's called integrated pest management.
ReplyDelete