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Aphids Aphidoidea

Aphid infestation on Milkweed (left), and a Rosebush (right)
Aphids average ~1/8in in length with a soft outer body. Their cornicles act as an "exhaust pipe" that excretes a quick-hardening wax as a defense mechanism. A different kind of excretion from aphids is called "Honeydew", it is a sugary substance that is produced as an end product of the digestion of plant sap. A large amount of aphid species are green but also can white, yellow, red/pink, brown, black, or mottled. Many species have two color types such as the green peach aphid which has both a red and green form. (University of Wisconsin, 2023)

Adult aphids are normally wingless, yet some species do have the capability to develop them. The winged-ability only develops once the population exceeds carrying capacity. When the density begins to decrease the quality of food, a hormone is triggered within some species to grow into to immigrate to a different plant in order to begin a new colony (Farmers Almanac).

Aphids do not discriminate when it comes to their food source. Each species of aphids has its own special preference. Aphids love flowers to herbs, citrus/fruit trees and shrubs, and a variety of leafy garden vegetables.

Aphids reproduce quickly, meaning your garden can be swarmed in a blink of the eye before you are aware of it. However, Aphids move very slow so they aren't difficult to deal with.

Farmers and green-thumb enthusiasts have several natural and not-so-natural remedies to mitigate Aphid species deemed as "pests" to their hard work.

  1. Methods of Control and Mitigation begin with gentle approaches depending on the size of the colony. Suggestions start with simply hosing off your affected plants to knock them off.
  2. The next method advises direct contact with the aphids by the application of neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and horticultural soaps to the affected areas.
  3. A mild solution of soapy water can be applied to the leaves of the plants every 2-3 days. However do not apply if the plants are in bloom because it will dehydrate the plants and possible kill them (Farmers Almanac)

There are a variety of prevention techniques.

Companion planting species that are repulsive to aphids, such as catnip, can help prevent a colony. Plant beloved species instead. such as mustard and nasturtium, near your important crops to lure them away and keep the colony busy.

Garlic and chives are remarkable repel-ers when planted alongside lettuce, peas, and rose bushes.

Fun fact about aphids and nasturtiums: Nasturtiums ruin the taste of fruit tree sap for Aphids and helps keep them off broccoli

The most notable method is the addition of beneficial insects... enter the ladybug.

Ladybugs LOVE to feed on aphids and rely on them as one of their main food sources. (Farmers Almanac)

Another symbiotic relationship aphids have are with Ants. Aphids provide a sweet delicious "honeydew" liquid and in exchange for the Ants protection from predators (Heart Pest MGMT, 2019).

Ants farm and herd aphids around the host plant, including keeping watch over the aphid eggs. Ants keep the Aphids on the move on the safer underside of leaves in a similar manner to sheep in order to keep them near in line and out of sight from predators.

Ants herding and "milking" Aphids

Works Cited

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2016). Aphid | insect. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/aphid

‌susan.mahr. (n.d.). Aphids, in-depth. Wisconsin Horticulture. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/aphids-2

Old Farmer's Almanac. (2019, March 30). Aphids. Old Farmer’s Almanac. https://www.almanac.com/pest/aphids

Farming Aphids – Herder Ants A.K.A. Farmer Ants. (2019, April 6). Hearts Pest Management. https://www.heartspm.com/farming-aphids-herder-ants-a-k-a-farmer-ants.php

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Created with images by andrei310 - "Whitefly Aleyrodes proletella agricultural pest on cabbage leaf" • Obserwatornia.pl - "Mszyce na kwiatku"