What is it?
Aphids are tiny pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects (2-4mm). They are generally green in colour, but also can be yellow, grey, black, brown and pink. Aphids can be found on most plants and trees. Female aphids can reproduce without males, leading to rapid population growth, especially in summer.
Symptoms
- Leaves become spotty yellow and may dry out, curled or deformed.
- They are often found in large numbers on stems and leaves.
- Shiny, sticky “honeydew” found on leaves and items under trees.
Damages
- The excrement from aphids produce sticky, shiny “honeydew” that attracts other insects such as wasps, flies and ants.
- The “honeydew” create a black scum that is sticky on items (e.g. cars, driveway, patio) underneath the plants.
- Aphids seldom kill the tree, but can lead to tree health decline, twigs dieback and early leaf fall.
What to do?
- Regularly pruning your plants to improve airflow and provide more sunlight.
- Soapy water and high pressure water can wash away the aphids.
- Introduce beneficial insects such as lady bugs can control aphids population.
- Place sticky yellow card around the affected plants.
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