Aphids

What Are Aphids?

Aphid is the common name for a family of insects consisting of a variety of species. Certain species are better known as Blackfly or Greenfly. Aphids can reproduce asexually, often producing live young rapidly which can result in high population build-ups. In warm conditions one female Aphid can produce up to ten eggs per day over several weeks. Other species mate and lay eggs that overwinter. Aphids are usually wingless but can develop wings when they wish to disperse. 

Aphid Infestation Signs & Symptoms

Aphids extract sap from plants, withdrawing nutrients plants need to be healthy. Aphid damage will be evident when plants become distorted, suffer from reduced growth, or show crinkled leaves. Aphids digest the sap and deposit it as honeydew, making plants and fruit sticky. Honeydew often grows black moulds which further harms the appearance of plants. Aphids can also transmit harmful plant viruses, which stunts plant growth.

How To Control Aphids

Biological control of Aphids is challenging due to their rapid reproductive capacity, so preventing large populations of Aphids forming is key, especially if treating plants in greenhouses or heated areas. Avoid insecticides as naturally occurring predators, such as those listed below, are drawn to Aphid infested plants and would otherwise be harmed by chemical residue. Natural solutions allow biological controls to be reinforced, with the addition of further natural predators such as Hoverfly larvae.

For Early Indoor Prevention:

Introduce our parasitic wasp products such as Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi, or our multi-parasite product: Aphiscout. If your infestation is already considerable, use Lacewing larvae, or Adult Ladybirds, which consume large numbers of Aphids and can be used in conjunction with our Aphid parasitic wasps.

For Outdoor Control On Vegetables Or Shrubs (Such As Roses):

Apply our Ladybird larvae directly to infested areas. The larvae can also be hung from plants in the included cotton bags, from which they will emerge to consume the Aphids. One Ladybird larvae can consume up to 100 Aphids per day.

For Outdoor Control On Low Growing Plants (Such As Lettuce Or Small Pot Plants):

Sprinkle Lacewing larvae over the infested plants. Predators such as these can consume large numbers of Aphids quickly.