1. Insect
  2. Vegetable Crops
  3. Vegetable Crops
  4. Hosts and Pests of Vegetable Crops

Cucumber-Aphid

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Bean aphid
Aphis fabae Scopoli
Female adult immature
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Cucumber-Aphid
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Showing damage on leaves
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Cucumber-Aphid
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Female adult immature
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Cucumber-Aphid
Potato aphid
Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas
Female adult immature
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Cucumber-Aphid
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Adult on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Includes

Bean aphid (Aphis fabae)
Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae)
Melon aphid (Aphis gossypii)
Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae)

Pest description, crop damage and life history

See:

Common Pests of Vegetable Crops

Pest monitoring Check plants frequently after transplant or seedling emergence. Aphid often are concentrated in "hot spots." Be sure to look for evidence of biological control; i.e., the presence of predators, parasites (aphid mummies), and disease. Aphid flights are most common during periods of moderate temperatures (60° to 80°F). Monitor plants particularly closely during April and May.

Management-biological control

Many parasites and predators attack aphid. Monitor the proportion of aphid mummies to unparasitized adults and the number of predators such as lady beetles. If the biocontrol agents appear to be gaining control, avoid sprays which would disrupt this system. Most products available for aphid control are highly disruptive of natural enemy populations.

Management-cultural control

Home gardeners can wash aphids from plants with a strong stream of water. Destroy infested plants immediately after harvest to prevent dispersal. Controlling weeds late in the season may help reduce overwintering populations. Aphid populations tend to be higher in plants that are fertilized liberally with nitrogen. Row covers can be effective.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • acetamiprid
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • capsaicin-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • carbaryl
  • cyfluthrin
  • deltamethrin
  • esfenvalerate
  • horticultural oil-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • imidacloprid
  • insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-Applied as a spray to leaves, stems, and fruit, it acts as a repellant to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • malathion
  • permethrin
  • plant-derived essential oils (rosemary, peppermint etc.)-These have some efficacy against aphids. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • pyrethrins (often combined with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Note: Pesticides can injure cucurbits. Be sure foliage is dry at the time of application.

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • acetamiprid (Assail 30SG) 0.047 to 0.075 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 5 applications or 0.5 lb ai/a per season.
  • afidopyropen (Sefina Inscalis) at 0.01 lb ai/a. PHI 0 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.09 lb ai/a per year.
  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.02 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/a per season.
  • azadirachtin (Neemix)-See label for rates. Acts slowly. Apply early. Thorough coverage and repeat applications are necessary. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr.
  • Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol ESO) at 0.25 to 1 quart/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr.
  • bifenthrin (Brigade WSB, Sniper) at 0.05 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per year. Do not make more than two applications after bloom. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • bifenthrin/avermectin (Athena) at 0.05 to 0.12 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.35 lb ai/a Athena, 0.056 lb ai/a avermectin, or 0.3 lb ai/a bifenthrin per season.
  • bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.04 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per season. Limit 2 treatments after bloom.
  • borate complex (Prev-Am Ultra) applied as a 0.8% solution. Apply to complete coverage. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Burkholderia spp. (Venerate XC) at 1 to 4 quarts/a product. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Chenopodium ambrosioides extract (Requiem 25EC) at 4 to 6 pints formulated product per acre. REI 4 hr. Use high rate when conditions are favorable for heavy pressure. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • chlorantraniliprole/thiamethoxam (Voliam Flexi) at 0.1 to 0.175 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • clothianidin (Belay) at 0.05 to 0.067 lb ai/a foliar or 0.15 to 0.2 lb ai/a soil band, in-furrow, sidedress, drench, chemigation. PHI 7 days foliar, 21 days soil. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days foliar. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a per season.
  • Chromobacterium subtsugae (Grandevo) at 0.6 to 0.9 lb ai/a per 100 gal. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • cyantraniliprole (Exirel) at 0.088 to 0.133 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day in field; 0 day in greenhouse. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per year.
  • cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL) at 0.036 to 0.054 lb ai/a PHI 1 day. REI Limit 3 treatments. Do not exceed 0.22 lb ai/a per year Retreatment interval 5 days.
  • dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL) at 0.05 to 0.18 lb ai/a foliar or 0.23 to 0.27 lb ai/a for soil. PHI 1 days foliar, or 21 days for soil. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/a foliar or 0.532 lb ai/a for soil.
  • flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG) at 0.062 to 0.089 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.267 lb ai/a or three applications per season. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 3 treatments.
  • flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG) at 0.002 to 0.003 lb ai/1,000 sq ft foliar or refer to label for soil treatment. Greenhouse only. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 2 applications per season. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200SL) at 0.09 to 0.16 lb ai/a foliar. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/a per season.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200SL) at 0.27 to 0.37 lb ai/a soil. PHI 21 days. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/a per season regardless of application method. Maximum crop seasons per year: 3.
  • gamma cyhalothrin (Declare) at 0.01 to 0.015 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.09 lb ai/a per season.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro) at 0.25 to 0.38 lb ai/a or 0.0156 lb ai/10,000 plants (greenhouse). Soil application only. PHI 21 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.38 lb ai/a per season in-field or 0.0156 lb ai/10,000 plants (greenhouse). Limit 1 greenhouse treatment.
  • insecticidal soap (M-Pede) at 1 to 2% solution. Potassium salts of fatty acids. See label for gal/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr.
  • Isaria fumosorosea (PFR-97 20% WDG) at 1 to 2 lb/a of product. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 3 to 10 days. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 0.03 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.18 lb ai/a per year.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam (Endigo ZC) at 0.072 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.18 lb ai/a lambda-cyhalothrin or 0.172 lb ai/a of thiamethoxam per season.
  • malathion (Fyfanon 8) at 1.0 to 1.75 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 2 treatments.
  • methomyl (Lannate SP) at 0.45 to 0.9 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day at 0.45 lb ai/a or 3 days if over 0.45 lb ai/a. REI 48 hr. Limit 12 treatments per year. Do not exceed 5.4 lb ai/a per year.
  • permethrin (Pounce 25W) at 0.2 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 1.2 lb ai/a per season. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • pymetrozine (Fulfill) at 0.086 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a per season. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • pyrifluquinazon (PQZ Insecticide) at 0.035 to 0.047 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Limit 4 treatments. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.21 lb ai/a per year. Apply by ground equipment.
  • tebuconazole/lambda cyhalothrin (Crossover) at 0.16 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 24 hr. Do not exceed 0.18 lb ai/a lambda cyhalothrin or 0.48 lb ai/a tebuconazole per season. Retreatment interval 10 to 14 days.
  • thiamethoxam (Actara) at 0.023 to 0.047 lb ai/a. Apply high rate for heavy infestations. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a per season.
  • thiamethoxam (Platinum) at 0.078 to 0.172 lb ai/a. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. See label for recommended in-row application instructions. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/a per season. Apply to the soil as in-furrow spray, band application, drench, shanked or with irrigation. Platinum and Actara have the same active ingredient; for resistance management, do not follow one with the other.
  • thiamethoxam/chlorantraniliprole (Durivo) at 0.195 to 0.257 lb ai/a applied to the soil (suppression only). PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • tolfenpyrad (Torac) at 0.17 to 0.21 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 14 days. Limit 4 treatments per year. Do not exceed 0.42 lb ai/a per year.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.04 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.

Notes:

Pesticides may injure cucurbits. The possibility of injury is less when foliage is dry at time of application.

Bees are important in cross-pollinating cucumbers. Take precautions to avoid poisoning them.

See:

How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides