Aphids
Aphids are familiar to most gardeners. They are small insects, about the size of a pinhead, or 1/10 inch long. They are soft-bodied and pear-shaped. On the rear of the aphid, two "tail-pipes" known as cornicles can be seen. Color is quite variable, ranging from yellow to green to black, depending on the species. Populations of aphids can increase very rapidly due to their ability to bear live young and to reach the adult stage in as little as seven days. Often their colonies are found on new plant growth, clustering on the underside of the leaves. Aphids may be winged or wingless. They feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts, sucking juices from the plant. Infested plants may lose their natural color, wilt, or become disfigured due to the aphid feeding. Aphids excrete a clear fluid called honeydew which becomes sticky and accumulates on foliage (and other objects) below the feeding sites.
Control
Light infestations of aphids can be removed from foliage by using a forced water spray delivered under high pressure. Lady beetles are frequent predators of aphids and should be protected when found feeding on aphid colonies.
See Chart 1
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