Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that are plant pests. They can come in a variety of colors, including yellow, pink, brown, and red. Aphids are about the size of a pinhead and have long, slender mouthparts that they use to pierce plant stems, leaves, and flowers and suck out the sap. Aphids use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from the plant's phloem, which is the vascular tissue responsible for transporting nutrients throughout the plant. This feeding can weaken the plant, stunt its growth, and reduce yields.
Identification:
- Soft, pear-shaped bodies: Aphids have a teardrop-like body that is soft and typically green, yellow, brown, red, or black in color, depending on the species.
- Long legs and antennae: They have two long antennae and six long, slender legs.
- Temperature: Mild temperatures, ranging from 18°C to 27°C, are ideal for aphid development and reproduction. They are less active and can even die during extreme cold or hot weather.
- Humidity: High relative humidity (around 70-80%) creates favorable conditions for aphid survival and growth. Dry conditions, on the other hand, can be detrimental to their populations.
- Direct feeding damage: Aphids feed by sucking the sap out of leaves, stems, and flowers. This can cause the leaves to become stunted, wilted, and yellowed.
- Sooty mold: Aphids excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. This honeydew can attract sooty mold, a black fungus that grows on the surface of the leaves. Sooty mold does not directly harm the plant, but it can block sunlight and reduce photosynthesis.
- Stunted growth: Aphid feeding can stunt the growth of the entire plant. This is because the plant is not able to produce enough food to grow properly.
- Wilting: In hot weather, aphid feeding can cause the tender shoots of the plant to wilt.
| Products | Technical Names | Dosages |
| K - Acepro | Acetamiprid 20 % SP | 60 to 80 gm/acre |
| Thioxam | Thiamethoxam 25 % wg | 80 gm/acre |
| IMD-70 | Imidacloprid 70 % WG | 2-3gms per 15 ltr water |
