Pea aphid

Acyrthosiphon pisum

Overview:

Acyrthosiphon pisum, commonly known as the Pea Aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect belonging to the family Aphididae. As the name suggests, this aphid species is a significant pest of pea plants and various other legumes.

Detailed Appearance:

  • Adult Pea Aphids are small, ranging from 2 to 4 millimeters in length.
  • Their body color can vary from green to pink or reddish-brown.
  • They have long, slender antennae and two cornicles (tube-like structures) on the posterior.

Life Cycle:

  • The life cycle includes egg, nymph, and adult stages.
  • Female aphids give birth to live nymphs without the need for mating (parthenogenesis).
  • Nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adults and go through several molts.
  • Winged forms may develop when populations become crowded or conditions change.

Identification of Crop Infestation:

  • Presence of clusters of small, soft-bodied aphids on the undersides of leaves.
  • Feeding damage causes yellowing, distortion, and curling of leaves.
  • Aphids excrete honeydew, leading to the growth of sooty mold on leaves.

Management Strategies:

  • Biological Controls:

    • Encourage natural enemies such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps.
    • Conservation of natural predators helps regulate aphid populations.

  • Cultural Controls:

    • Practice good garden hygiene to reduce overwintering sites for aphids.
    • Intercrop with plants that attract beneficial insects.

  • Physical Controls:

    • Use a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids from plants.
    • Prune and remove heavily infested plant parts.

  • Chemical Controls:

    • Apply insecticides labeled for aphid control when populations exceed economic thresholds.
    • Focus on the undersides of leaves where aphids often feed.

  • Insecticidal Soaps and Oils:

    • Use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils to control aphids.
    • These products are effective and have minimal impact on beneficial insects.

  • Resistant Plant Varieties:

    • Consider planting aphid-resistant varieties of peas when available.
    • Resistant plants can help reduce the impact of aphid infestations.

  • Ant Management:

    • Control ant populations, as they may protect aphids from natural enemies.
    • Ants "farm" aphids for honeydew, disrupting natural predator-prey relationships.

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