Aphids suck plant fluids from
leaves, buds, stems, and bark.

Aphids

Description

Aphids are small soft-bodied insects. They may be yellow, green, pink, red, purple, brown or black in color. There is also considerable variation in size between species. Some infest only one plant species, while others feed on a wide variety of hosts.

Plants Affected

Most trees and shrubs are affected by at least one species of aphid. Some of the more commonly affected plants include: birch, oak, beech, maple, elm, linden, tulip tree, spruce, apple, daphne and roses.

Symptoms/Damage

Aphids suck plant fluids from leaves, buds, stems and bark. Their feeding may cause discoloration, distortion, stunting, individual leaf death and occasionally severe defoliation. As the insect grows it periodically sheds its skin, leaving behind a white casing in the shape of its body that often sticks to plant surfaces. They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew that covers foliage, cars, furniture, etc. Black sooty mold often grows on foliage that is covered with honeydew. It can be unsightly and sometimes injurious.

Life Cycle

The aphid family has one of the highest reproductive potential of all insects. They can complete their life cycle in 10 days by giving birth to live young. The winged adult aphid can fly to new host trees. Aphids overwinter as eggs on plants. In the spring, they emerge and begin to give live birth. Throughout the growing season, only females are produced. It is not until autumn that males are produced. At this time, they mate with females who then lay eggs to overwinter on the plants.

Management

Cultural

 Wash aphids off of plant with a strong jet of water to help decrease the population.

Biological

 Natural presence and release of predatory and parasitic insects such as: Lady beetle larvae and adults, larvae of lacewings, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps.

Organic

 Horticultural oils or soaps will reduce populations, but will need repeated applications.

Chemical

 Foliar applied approved insecticides with residual activity can provide good control.

 Soil applied systemic insecticides provide good control with little harm to beneficial insects (pollinators, parasites and predators) and often eliminates the need for multiple foliar applications.