Order Hemiptera; Family Aphididae
Pest description and damage Several species of aphids feed on the foliage, stem, flower, bud, bark or root tissues of conifer and deciduous trees, shrubs as well as other plants in landscapes. Aphids tend to be small (0.0625 to 0.125 inch long), oval to pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Body color varies (black, green, pink, yellow, mottled, striped, etc.), but most aphids tend to match host plant coloration. Aphids tend to feed in colonies on the new or most succulent plant tissues. Feeding damage to shrubs, trees and mature plants is usually minor, but can compromise the vigor of the host. When aphid populations are high, leaf and shoot distortion can occur. Aphids produce honeydew, a sweet, sticky secretion that collects on underlying plant tissues and encourages growth of a black sooty mold. In addition to cosmetics, honeydew becomes a sticky nuisance when it falls on decks, cars, or other landscape surfaces. Some aphids are vectors of plant diseases, particularly viruses.
Biology and life history Most aphid species have similar, but complicated life cycles. They tend to overwinter in the egg stage on perennial host plants. Overwintering eggs hatch early in the spring. Newly hatched aphids are found around and on the emerging leaf and flower tissues. Later in the spring, aphid colonies are found on the underside of leaves, near flowers or within fruit clusters. During the growing season, some aphids give birth to live offspring without mating. Some aphid species undergo multiple generations and can build up high densities quickly. There may be as few as two generations or as many as 16 generations each year, depending on the species and climate. Some aphids are host plant specific, while others live on a wide variety of plants and weeds, and still others switch between different hosts within each season. In the autumn, aphid colonies may produce winged females and males. The winged aphids disperse to the winter hosts, mate, and produce eggs that survive the winter on trees, shrubs or weeds.
Pest monitoring Use yellow sticky traps, or other devices to detect aphids when they fly into the landscape from weedy or alternate hosts. Aphids tend to coincide with new growth flushes that may occur after a rain event or irrigation. Begin observing shoots for aphids prior to bud break or during new growth flushes. The most efficient management occurs early in the season when aphids are less abundant. A dark plate or upside-down cup placed under the branches will show spatters of honeydew indicating the first activity and severity of the infestation. Also, check the upper surfaces of the lower leaves for honeydew. Check host plant for presence of natural enemies as well.
Management-cultural control
Wash aphids from woody plants with a strong stream of water or by wiping the aphids off a stem or leaf by hand. Aphid populations tend to be higher in plants fertilized liberally with nitrogen or heavily watered, so avoid practices that produce flushes of succulent growth.
Management-biological control
Aphids have many natural enemies, including lady beetles, syrphid fly larvae, green lacewings, and parasitoid wasps. Check host plant closely for evidence of these predators and avoid broad-spectrum insecticide applications that would disrupt these natural enemy populations. Braconid wasps are especially important parasitoids. Look for large swollen, hardened, silvery-gray aphid "mummies" indicative of an aphid parasitized by a braconid larva. These wasp larvae pupate within the host and cut a semicircular "door" in the host's abdomen, through which the adult wasps exit the host. If the mummies are intact (without circular parasite exit holes), then cut the leaf pieces and move the mummies to areas where aphids are still a problem. The parasitoid wasp is a tiny black gnat-sized insect that upon emergence will begin searching leaves for fresh aphids to parasitize. An alternative is to control ants, which "farm" aphids to harvest honeydew and protect aphids from natural enemies.
Management-chemical control:
See Table 1 in:
Chemical Control of Landscape Pests
For more information
Cranshaw, W.S. 2009. Aphids on Shade Trees and Ornamentals. Colorado State University Extension. no. 5.511
Davidson, R.M. and A.L. Antonelli. 2003. Aphids. WSU Puyallup REC. PLS-106 (https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/408/2015/02/PLS-106-Aphids.pdf)
Flint, M.L. 2000. Pest Notes: Aphids. UC-IPM UC ANR Publication 7404 (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html)