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Aphid
(Extension, Purdue University)

Common Name: Aphid

Order: Homoptera

Family: Aphididae

Pest Status: Aphids can be serious pests of vegetable and agronomic crops as well as ornamental plants.

Appearance: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, yellow, brown, red or black. The body is pear-shaped with long legs and antennae. Most species have a pair of exhaust pipe-like structures called cornicles protruding from the posterior ends of the abdomens.

Life Cycle: Aphids have many generations per year. After overwintering, aphid eggs hatch into wingless females. These females reproduce asexually and hold the eggs in their bodies until they give birth to live young. These young usually develop wings. Aphid nymphs and adults both feed by inserting their mouthparts into plants and sucking out juices.

Where to Collect: Aphids can be best collected from the undersides of leaves that have begun to curl due to excessive feeding.