aphid

1. Species of Aphids
• There are about 4000 species of
aphids in the world of which about
250 are serious pests.
• Scientists believe that the number
of species remained relatively
small until the angiosperms
(flowering plants) became more
common, then as the aphids
adapted to these new and rapidly
varying plants their species
numbers also increased.

2. Aphid Range and Appearance
• Twenty-five percent of all plant
species are infested with aphids, and
though it is believed the species of
aphids has followed that of plants,
not all groups of plants are equally
infected with these parasites.
• Aphids are part of the Superfamily
Aphidoidae and are described as
small (1-10 mm) soft bodied insects
with, or more commonly without,
wings.

3. Species Variation
• The Compositae, the 3rd most
common plant family, supports
the most aphid species (605
species), but the Orchidacea, the
2nd most common plant family,
only supports 9 species of aphids
while the Rosaceae which is only
the 22nd most common plant
family supports the 3rd highest
number of aphid species (293
species).

4. Aphid Anatomy
• Aphids possess a proboscis which
originates between and behind
the forelegs, their antennae has
two thick basal segments and a
flagellum composed of up to 4
segments, the last of which is
divided into a proximal part and a
thinner distal part

10. Feeding Habits
• Aphids feed from the phloem of
plants which they tap into with the
stylets of their proboscis. They gain
access to the phloem vessels from 3
main parts of the plant, stems,
leaves, and roots. Their stylets,
which are contained within the
proboscis when the aphid is not
feeding, are very thin and could
suffer damage while being pushed
into the plant or bend in an
unwanted direction.

11. Movement
• Most aphids do not have wings,
and in general they move very
little, and their lives consist of
feeding and giving birth.
• Aphids are weak fliers and in still
air they move at about 1.6 to 3.2
km per hour. Their migrations can
be extensive and they often take
advantage of favorable winds to
enhance their flight efficiency.

12. Protection
• An aphid will kick out at an
attacker and attempt to drive it off,
if this does not work it will pull up
its stylets and proboscis and walk
away.
• Some species can also exude a
special waxy solution from their
siphunculi over an attacker, while
doing this it generally releases an
alarm pheromone alerting nearby
aphids that danger is close at hand.

13. Predators
• Aphids are relatively common and
in the right circumstances they
occur in large numbers, for this
reason there are quite a number of
animals which use aphids as a food
source.
• Some include the Chinese praying
mantis and the ladybug.

15. Behavioral Classes
• Some species have “soldier”
aphids and others only have “non-
soldier” aphids.
• Soldiers are not as common as
non-soldiers, but are more apt to
fending off predators and various
dangers than non-soldiers.

17. Cultural Control
Before planting vegetables, check surrounding areas for
sources of aphids and remove these sources.
High levels of nitrogen fertilizer favor aphid reproduction, so
never use more nitrogen than necessary.
Because many vegetables are susceptible to serious aphid
damage primarily during the seedling stage, reduce losses by
growing seedlings under Protective covers.
knock off the insects with a strong spray of water.

18. Chemical Control
ACTARA® Thiamethoxam
Mode of Action: Neonicotinoids act on a
specific protein in the brain of pest insects
(the nicotinic acetylcholin receptor), inhibiting
their feeding reflex

19. CHESS® Pymetrozine
Mode of Action: immediate crop protection through
permanent inhibition of the feeding system. Pests die
later from starvation. Upward and downward
translocation in the plant.
PIRIMOR® Pirimicarb
Mode of Action: Ingestion or contact with Pirimicarb
by aphids inhibits acetylcholinesterase - an essential
enzyme at junctions within the nervous system. An
uncontrolled series of nerve impulses is produced,
leading to paralysis and final death.