Aphid Pest Guide
Aphidoidea
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameAphid Pest Guide
DescriptionSmall, soft-bodied aphids feed on plant sap, causing yellowing and leaf curling. Learn to identify and treat these common garden pests with organic methods.
TypeInsect
FamilyAphididae
GenusAphis
TribeAphidini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderHemiptera
SubfamilyAphidoidea
Features
- Named after the order Hemiptera, meaning 'true bugs.' Also called 'ant cows' because ants farm them for the sweet honeydew they produce
- Small, soft-bodied insects with pear-shaped bodies. Most have two tube-like structures called cornicles on their rear. Colors include green, yellow, grey, black, and pink
- Feed on plant sap by piercing leaves, stems, and roots with their needle-like mouthparts. Prefer tender new growth and young shoots
- Cause leaves to curl, yellow, and become distorted. Plants show stunted growth. Leave sticky honeydew that attracts ants and promotes black sooty mold growth
- Live in colonies. Lifespan ranges from 2 weeks to 2 months. Reproduce rapidly in warm conditions. Can produce live young without mating
- Size varies between 1 to 8 mm depending on species and life stage
- Thrive in warm and humid conditions. Spread quickly in spring and early summer. Attracted to stressed or over-fertilized plants
- Attack a wide variety of plants including lettuce, cabbage, tomato, potato, rose, hibiscus, apple, citrus, cotton, beans, and peppers
- Prevent by avoiding over-fertilization, checking new plants before bringing them home, and removing weeds that harbor aphids. Use reflective mulch to deter them
- Natural predators include lady bugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and hoverfly larvae. Kill with strong water spray, soapy water, neem oil, or rubbing alcohol spray
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificAphidoidea
English (Alternate)Greenfly, Blackfly, Plant lice, Plant Louse, Ant Cow
Hindiमाहूँ (Mahu), चेपा (Chepa), तेला (Tela), लाही (Lahi)
Tamilஅசுவினி (asuvini), செடிப்பேன் (sedippen)
Teluguపెను బంక (penu banka), పచ్చ దోమ (pachcha dhoma), పిండి నల్లి (pindi nalli)
Malayalamചുള്ളിപ്രാണി(chullipraani), ചെടികളിലെ നീരൂറ്റിക്കുടിക്കുന്ന പ്രാണികൾ (chedikalile neeruttikkudikkunna praanikal)
Kannadaಗಿಡಹೇನು (giddaenu), ಏಫಿಡ (ephida), ಐಫಡ (iphida)
Sanskritतुत्थिका (tutthikā), रसक्षुपकीट (rasakṣupakīṭa)
Bengaliউই পোকা (ui poka), উই পোকা (ui poka), ক্ষুদ্র পোকা (khudro poka)
Frenchpucerons
Russianтля (tlya)
Spanishpulgones, áfidos
GermanBlattlaus
