Identification
many different species of aphids occur in the greenhouse, all varying in size and morphology; (0.5- 6.5 mm long)
colour: green to black, yellow, brown, purple, pink, grey, white
piercing-sucking mouthparts
can often be identified by the cornicles (tubes) from the end of the abdomen
sometimes present in a winged (alate) form
usually found in the wingless form (apterous)
Damage
plant sap is removed by the stylet, causing deformed leafs and shoots
excretion of honeydew, reducing photosynthesis and causing sooty mold to colonize on the leaves
often a disease vector for viruses
Beneficial Insects for control
Aphidius spp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
-parasitic wasps
-lays eggs in individual aphids
Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
-predatory larvae
-midge lays eggs near aphid colonies
-works well in combination with Aphidius spp.
Micromus variegatus (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae)
-generalist predatory adults & larvae