California is home to almost 600 different types of bugs, but few are so pesky as the aphid. They are tiny insects with soft bodies that plunge their beaks into plants and suck the life right out of them. Since the bugs are so small, they often go unnoticed until the leaves on your plants start withering. They are several colors, such as white, black, brown, yellow, green, and pink. Their bodies are pear-shaped and have long antennae in the front and two short tubes on the back. Generally, they are wingless. However, when a plant becomes too populated, and a new food source is needed, some females will give birth to winged offspring. Once the source is found, those aphids will revert back to producing wingless offspring.
Aphids feed on sap and other plant matter as they stab their sharp mouths into the stems, leaves, buds, flowers, and even the roots of plants. These devils are particularly attracted to young plants, which happen to be more susceptible to damage. They cause leaves to turn yellow, and stunt plant growth. As they eat, they produce a substance called "honeydew" that grows mold on the plant after it’s left a while. Oddly enough, they are farmed by some species of ants. The ants feed off the honeydew and, in return, protect the aphids from predators.
Scientists estimate there are about 4,000 different species of Aphids, about 250 of which are considered nuisances in your lawn, garden, and farm. Some of those particular species are even named for the food source they regularly attack, such as the Sugarcane and Lettuce Aphids. Some also go after entire trees, sucking sap from roots and limbs. Aphids also infect plants with viruses more often than any other insect, accounting for half of the virus transmissions from bugs to plants. Researchers say their mouth, ideal for piercing the plant, makes it particularly adept at the spread of those diseases, many of which prove deadly for the infected plant. Some species inject toxins into the plants as they eat, which stunts plant growth and causes leaves to curl and die.
One of the biggest problems with aphids is how quickly a small group becomes an out-of-control infestation. The process happens right under your nose. All it takes is a few bugs to lay eggs in your garden. A week later, the eggs hatch and the insects inside have become adults themselves, each capable of laying as many as five dozen eggs of their own. After just a few weeks, that population can grow to thousands. They reproduce asexually so that each one can have babies regardless of gender. That’s why researchers say early detection and swift action are crucial to keeping your property intact.
If you have a pest problem of any kind, it’s imperative to take care of it quickly. That’s why the licensed and certified technicians at 101 Gopher & Pest Control return calls as promptly as possible and offer same-day service, even on Saturdays. Whether you need a problem fixed immediately or set up preventative services, we’re here to help.
