Aphids
Order/Family: Homoptera/Aphidae
Description:
- Adults are 1/16- to 1/4-inch long.
- Adults may or may not have wings.
- The body is bulbous with two tube-like projections (cornicles) near the tip of the abdomen. Nymphs look like the adults but are smaller. The eggs are oval and black.
- Adults are varied in color depending on species.
Biology and Habits:
- Eggs are the overwintering stage and are found on bark and needles.
- As aphids feed they secrete a sugary substance (honey-dew) that, as it ages, produces a black sooty mold.
- There are several generations per year.
Damage:
- Aphids suck plant juices from buds, leaf veins and tissues under the bark using their piercing and sucking mouthparts.
- Damaged leaves appear stunted, deformed, and discolored; heavily damaged leaves die.