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Aphids or Greenflies
Are small soft bodied insects with pear shaped bodies and thin bent legs. Commonly green there are many species which eat specific crops, eg citrus aphids, lettuce aphids, cabbage aphids and myriads more. They can be yellow, grey brown and black.
Aphids are never solitary herding in large colonies on new stems and shoots, soft leaves and flower buds. They eat by sucking plant sap and severe infestations cause distortion of the stems or flower buds. They are the main transmitter of viruses between plants which can debilitate and kill crops such as tomatoes. Aphids also produce honeydew, a sticky sweet substance. This provides a food supply for the sooty mould fungi. Stems, shoots and leaves become covered with the unsightly black coating.
Control - Chemical
The systemic sprays Orthene and Confidor.
Control - Organic
Natural predators such as lacewings, hoverflies, ladybirds and wasps will reduce their populations if chemical sprays aren’t used.
Control of ants. Research has shown that ants discourage natural predators.
- Hose populations with a strong stream of water regulary.
- Digital control - squashing.
- Spraying with Neem 50 wp.
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