Spirea aphid

Insect

Spirea aphid

Aphis spiraecola Patch

Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae

Distribution: Widespread in most fruit-growing states and provinces in eastern North America.

Photos

Adults and nymphs are olive green with brown-black legs, antennae and cornicles.

Adults and nymphs are olive green with brown-black legs, antennae and cornicles. Bernard Drouin, Ministry of Ag., Fisheries, and Food
A

The eggs are oval and shiny black. The adults and nymphs are olive-green with brown-black legs (A), antennae, and cornicles. They live in colonies.

  • Crops Affected: apples, pears

    Damage

    Attacks apple and pear. This aphid causes the curling of young leaves (B), reduces the growth of infested shoots and excretes honeydew on leaves and fruit that favors the development of sooty mold.

    Management

    Protect natural predators by the use of selective insecticides. Monitor colonies on growing shoots; application of selective insecticide may occasionally be necessary if high percentage of shoots have active aphid colonies (can simultaneously be used against leafhoppers and leafminers).

    Similar Species

    The apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, and the spirea aphid are impossible to differentiate in the field, even under magnification, and cause the same types of damage. In recent years, A. pomi has been almost entirely displaced by A. spiraecola in commercial apple plantings. Also, early in the season, the apple grain aphid, Rhopalosiphum fitchii (Sanderson), is present. It has three longitudinal dark green bands on the back (C) and normally does not cause damage.

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