Nature’s calling – Aphids

Without doubt aphids are a pest to most gardeners, however, they still have their place in God’s created food chain, becoming a vital part in the survival of many other creatures.

There are some 5 000 different species of aphids world-wide under the super family of aphidoidea which also includes the white woolly aphids, around 400 of these species are considered pests to agriculture. Their colours can also vary depending on species. Aphids are small sap sucking pests, that, if left unchecked, can multiply dramatically destroying valuable crops. The main reason for their fast multiplication is due to their reproduction process, for the most part no males are required. Adult wingless female aphids give live birth to female aphid nymphs (babies), this allows their numbers to explode rapidly. Later in the season some winged females may develop which then fly off to canonise other areas.

Aphids have a mutualistic relationship with certain species of ants which some call dairying ants. These ants tend to their flock, providing some security to the aphids against would be predators, in exchange the ants are given sweet honeydew.

These tiny insects are among the most destructive of pests on cultivated plants. Other than weakening the plants by sucking their sap, aphids act a vectors for plant viruses and also disfigure ornamental plants with deposits of honeydew which subsequently allows sooty molds to grow.

For the most part insecticides do not work, nor are they recommended for dealing with aphid infestations, as many aphid species have become immune to certain insecticides, also their habit of feeding on the underside of the leaf also makes them inaccessible. In the garden I have had success treating aphids with a weak solution of dish washing liquid in water, sprayed on the plants, or simply giving the plant a good spray with the hose pipe. There are also many environmentally friendly home remedies which can be found on the internet.

There are also many natural pest controllers that one should always encourage into the garden including ladybugs, hover flies, lacewings, parasitic wasps and even the woolly legs butterfly.

If you would like to make contact with Warren to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or spiders identified, send him a WhatsApp message or call him on 072-211-0353.

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