Tiny Terrors
 When I began to do my research for this newsletter, I learned way more than I ever wanted to know about aphids and I swear they are like something out of a science fiction novel. They can be wingless or have wings. They come in just about every color of the rainbow. They can be born already pregnant. If the population of an area becomes too great, they begin to hatch winged aphids that then fly off to start new colonies elsewhere. Most aphids are female only, and can produce up to 41 generations in one season. They can reproduce sexually or asexually. They not only adapt, they thrive under a myriad of conditions. I think I'm going to be having nightmares about them taking over for several nights to come! They can truly be tiny terrors.
Let's begin with the basics. Known as plant lice in Britain, aphids are small, sap sucking insects which can be among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants. With over 4,400 species, they have quickly become the enemies of farmers and gardeners because of their ability to literally suck the life right out of a plant. And even though it's generally not much of a problem in our area, aphids are also capable of transmitting viruses which can kill plants. Although there are plants which are less of a favorite, if they are hungry enough, they can become voracious towards anything that has leaves. Fruit trees- cherries, peaches and apricots (anything in the prunus family) are particular favorites, athough they love vegetables and flowers too. Zoologically, they are an extremely successful group of organisms, due in part to their reproduction capabilities. So how do you know if you have them? Aphids come in almost every color of the rainbow- black, green, brown, pink or colorless. They have soft bodies and may or may not have wings, so they may or may not be airborne. Some feed on only one plant species. Some feed on many varieties of plants. Aphid damage is most usually found in a distortion and curling of the leaves of the infested plant. They are usually found on the undersides of the leaves, though if the population is large enough, they may cover the plant. Holes may also appear on the leaves. They may cluster along the stems of the plant. Another warning sign are ladybugs. Watch closely- ladybugs love to feed on aphids, so if your plant is covered with ladybugs, chances are that you also have a healthy aphid population. There are several ways to deal with an infestation. Since ladybugs love to feed on aphids, the introduction of ladybugs to your garden may clean up the problem quickly with the added bonus of some cute, bright red neighbors. Lacewings and parasitic wasps are also natural enemies of aphids so you might try introducing those as well. While most plants are fair game for them, there are a few that are known to be distasteful to them. These include garlic, catnip, and mint. You might try adding these to your garden in an effort to encourage them to relocate elsewhere. If none of the gentler methods work, then it's time to bring out the bigger guns. Eco-friendly controls include products such as Neem oil which smothers them so that they cannot breathe through their exoskeleton and eventually they die. Though it is not a poison, per se, it has the same effect. Malathion and Carbaryl (Sevin) can be used if you prefer a chemical control. These are applied topically and can be used on fruits and vegetables. Finally, a systemic can be used for a bad infestation. Systemics, work up through the capillary system of the plant. When the aphids feed on the plant, they ingest the poison and die. Because it runs through the system, systemics should not be used on edibles. Aphids have been rampant this year. If you suspect you have them, but aren't sure, you are always welcome to put a few leaves from your plant in question into a ziplock bag and bring it in for identification. We'll be happy to help and to recommend something to get you aphid-free once again!
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