Aphids

Description:

(Aphids photographed on my Lupine plants out front.) Also Called: Plant Lice, Green Flies, are sap sucking insects that produce honeydew or cornicle secretions. When they infest a plant, they leave a sticky residue on the leaves of the plant (etc.). Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions.[1] The damage they do to plants has made them enemies of farmers and gardeners the world over. Around 250 species are serious pests for agriculture and forestry as well as an annoyance for gardeners. They vary in length from 1 to 10 Mls. (0.04 to 0.39 in). Natural enemies include predatory ladybirds, hoverfly larvae, parasitic wasps, aphid midge larvae, crab spiders, lacewings and entomopathogenic fungi like Lecanicillium lecanii and the Entomophthorales.

Habitat:

Innocent and beautiful flowers, plants and trees everywhere. These particular aphids were on my Lupine plants out in front of the house. I have seen these suckers sucking wild Lupine as well, which to me is just as irritating since I harvest my seeds from wild Lupine. There was a beloved white Lupine plant growing in a field across town. One day I went to check on it and it was just covered with aphids! It was the ONLY white plant there! I got rid of some of the aphids, but I am not sure if I was able to harvest good seeds from the plant.

Notes:

I hate using chemicals on my plants, but when the aphids return each summer I spray the suckers as soon as I can in order to curb the damage to the plant. Red Lily beetles will get the same reception if they ever return.