Aphid and Adelgid
Order: Hemiptera
Superfamily: Aphidoidea
Bean aphid
Pests as nymphs and adults
Appearance
- Pinhead size
- Piercing/sucking mouthparts
- Globular soft bodies (tear-drop, pear-shaped)
- Long spindly legs & antennae
- Twin "jet-pipe" cornicles (backward pointing abdominal tubes)
- Slow moving
- May or may not have wings
Symptoms
- Wilting, twisted, malformed leaves and buds
- Yellowing foliage
- Some: galls
- Some: plant pathogens
- Sticky honeydew which attracts ants, bees & wasps and may lead to sooty mold
- Some: cottony tufts or dirty-white crust on bark
- Some: powdery waxy film
Biology
- May overwinter as eggs, nymphs or adults
- Pests as nymphs and adults
- Asexual reproduction
- Live young
- Many offspring with short generation times
Control
Physical
- Protect with polyester-fiber row covers
- Aluminum foil collars
- Spray forcefully with garden hose
- Yellow sticky traps
Cultural
- Proper nitrogen fertility
- Compost culls
Biocontrol
- Conserve natural enemies (lady beetles, lacewing larvae, parasitic wasps, soldier beetles)
- Mass-releases from commercial insectaries
Pesticides
- Check the Database of Pesticides Registered in Idaho (Kelly Database) for pesticides registered in Idaho
Caution: Read Pesticide Labels
Pesticide labels override other recommendations.