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.