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Despite their tiny size, aphids can cause a huge amount of harm to plants and crops. Often referred to as greenfly or blackfly, these sap-sucking insects come in a variety of colors—green, black, yellow, pink, or even white. Common in both home gardens and commercial growing environments, aphids can go unnoticed until a full-blown infestation is underway thanks to their tiny size. Despite being low on the food chain, aphids reproduce rapidly and can quickly overwhelm plants, draining sap, distorting leaves, and leaving behind sticky honeydew that encourages the growth of sooty mold. Even more concerning, some aphid species transmit plant viruses, posing a serious threat to crop yields and ornamental plant vitality alike.
Understanding the aphid life cycle is essential for effective control. While most populations are home to wingless females that reproduce asexually, the pests are capable of developing wings for seeking out favorable conditions, therefore migrating to more of your precious plants.
Fortunately, there are several effective, environmentally responsible methods of managing aphids, from using deterrent plants and natural predators to applying non-systemic insecticides with a 98% kill rate. Below, we’re exploring everything you need to know about aphids, and how you can protect your plants from any potential infestations.
What is an Aphid?
Aphids are sap sucking insects. Ranging from 1 to 7mm long, these tiny bugs are also known as greenfly or blackfly and can be green, black, yellow, pink, white or mottled in colour. Some species of aphid, such as the woolly aphid found on apple, cover themselves in a white, waxy secretion, which leads them to be confused with mealybugs or whiteflies.
How do Aphids Affect My Plants?
While aphids do have many predators and remain at the bottom of the food chain, they are a huge pest for plants for a few different reasons. These are:
- Aphids suck on the sap from plants which can weaken them and lead to curled leaves or stunted growth.
- Aphids also secrete a sticky honeydew on which black sooty molds can grow.
- Aphids also cast their skins, which can accumulate on the leaves of a plant.
- Some aphids can also transmit plant diseases, which poses a serious risk to all plants in the vicinity.
The Aphid Life Cycle Explained
Different aphid species have different life cycles, which can change based on external factors, such as weather, overcrowding, and the host plant.
Spring and Summer Colonies
During the warmer months, aphid colonies consist of wingless females that reproduce asexually. These females, often referred to as “stem mothers”, give birth to live young that are genetically identical clones. This allows for rapid population growth.
Development of Winged Forms
When colonies become overcrowded, the host plant declines, or environmental cues shift (e.g. season changes), some aphids develop wings. These winged forms disperse to find new host plants.
Overwintering Strategies
Most aphid species overwinter as eggs, typically laid on woody plants such as trees or shrubs. However, in mild climates or on indoor plants, some aphids may remain active throughout winter.
Host Plant Alternation
Many aphids, especially those that infest fruits and vegetables, alternate between host plants during the year. Eggs are laid on woody plants in the winter. In spring, the hatching aphids feed on new growth. As the foliage matures and hardens in summer, winged aphids develop and migrate to softer, non-woody plants like fruits and vegetables.
Exceptions
Some aphid species do not switch plants and instead spend the entire year on a single host, although they may only be active during part of the year.
How Long Do Aphids Live For?
The typical lifespan of an aphid, depending on its species, varies from a few weeks to a few months. Female aphids tend to live for around 25 days, and can produce up to 80 young during this lifespan.
Aphid Control Measures
It is possible to control aphids with various different techniques. These include:
- Deterrent Plants: Some plants act as a natural deterrent to aphids due to their smell and chemical compounds. Examples include members of the allium family, such as garlic and cloves, as well as marigolds and chrysanthemums.
- Natural Predators: Introducing natural enemies, such as ladybugs can help control aphid infestations. Lacewings and hoverflies also have big appetites for aphids.
- Pesticide Treatments: In a professional growing environment, it can be critical to ensure the complete eradication of aphids and other pests. You can opt to use a pesticide, however, you should consider the environmental factors of doing so and weigh up whether a systemic or non-systemic solution is better.
Breaking the Aphid Lifecycle Without Systemic Pesticides
The good news is that you don’t need to risk harming your environment with systemic pesticides. Choosing a non-systemic solution with a high first-application efficacy will target unwanted pests like aphids without damaging your plants or contaminating your growing medium.
Protection Plus – For Ultimate Aphid Control
Environmental Plant Management offers Protection Plus™, which is a eco-friendly insecticide. This insecticide solution eliminates aphid populations while maintaining the well-being of crops. By choosing this product, growers can protect their plants without sacrificing long-term sustainability, ensuring a thriving harvest season after season.
This tried and tested solution is safe to use and leaves no harmful residue. Here are some more reasons why it’s a favorite choice for growers tackling aphids:
- Effective: Protection Plus has an aphid kill rate of 98%.
- Quick action: While Protection Plus does not always kill immediately upon direct contact, it can eliminate pests within seconds and up to 24 hours, depending on the insect’s skin thickness.
- Simple to use: Protection Plus™ can be applied at any stage of plant growth and targets all insect life stages, from egg to adult. Unlike other products that require precise timing and pest identification, you’ll be able to simplify pest management with one versatile, effective solution.
Minimizes resistance risk: Protection Plus works through a high-efficacy, physical mode of action that significantly reduces the likelihood of pests developing resistance over time.