their reproductive capacity is enormous. The damage
they cause is due to secreted honeydew resulting in
contamination of fruit. Aphids are also notorious for
carrymg vlruses.
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Lesson Nine |
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Biological Pest Control 9-4 |
Pest:
Aphids
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Aphids inflict serious damage in various crops and their reproductive capacity is enormous. The damage they cause is due to secreted honeydew resulting in contamination of fruit. Aphids are also notorious for carrymg vlruses. |
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Aphids are slow moving insects, inhabiting the undersides of leaves. They establish dense colonies of tiny (1/32" -1/8"), soft bodied, pear shaped insects that are light green, pink, yel- low, brown or black in color. |
Biological Control:
Aphidius colemani and Aphidoletes aphidimyza
The parasitic wasp Aphidius colemani is particularly effective against some species of aphids.
Parasitised aphids form characteristic white "mummies." Aphidoletes aphidimyza is effective
on a wide range of aphid species and lays its eggs in aphid colonies. The orange larvae that
hatch from these eggs feed voraciously on aphids.
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