Aphids are the bane of many gardeners. They are small, soft bodied, pear-shaped insects. Over 4000 species of aphids are known with around 250 being serious agriculture and forestry pests. Aphids can come in a range of sizes from 1 to 10 millimeters and colours including black, red, green, yellow, and colourless. Some are winged and all have piercing/sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plants, causing distorted leaves, buds, and flowers.
Aphids can reproduce very quickly as females do not need to mate to produce new offspring. Eggs are laid on plant stems or in bark crevices with eggs overwintering and hatching the following spring.
Aphids can be controlled with beneficial insects like lady bugs and birds. Floating row covers, neem oil, and insecticidal soap can also be used to prevent them from causing further damage. Finally, a damp cloth or spray with water can dislodge the adults from the plants and prevent them from finding their way back on again.
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