"Aphids - Greenfly, Blackfly"
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Aphids are soft-bodied, slow-moving insects that reproduce rapidly. Many aphids prefer to feed on young, succulent growth. Some feed in sheltered locations, such as inside leaves that they have caused to curl or become distorted. Aphids attack trees and shrubs of all kinds but do not usually seriously injure them. New plant growth may become distorted or stunted before predators and parasites decimate the aphid population. The greatest damage may be from the sticky, sugary aphid excrement called honeydew. Honeydew may fall on automobiles or furniture below infested trees. Sometimes a black fungus called sooty mold will grow on the honeydew deposited on foliage below aphid colonies.
Adelgids, psyllids or phylloxeras are closely related insects that resemble aphids. The adelgids and phylloxeras frequently induce infested host plants to form galls in which the insects live.
Aphids are present on most plants, generally at non-injurious levels. The honeydew excreted by aphids may be useful for identifying aphid populations. Natural controls, including natural enemies -- ladybird beetles, lacewings, syrphid flies, parasitic wasps -- usually bring aphid populations under control shortly after they become noticeable. Before applying any insecticide treatments, search the aphid colonies for these natural enemies. High numbers of these beneficial insects usually indicate that aphid problems are being controlled without your intervention.
Aphids on Ornamentals
Aphids are very common insects. They overwinter as eggs which hatch in the spring. During the year, winged forms will migrate to different plants. The insects injure plants by sucking juices and infecting healthy plants with diseases they pick up from unhealthy plants. A sticky excrement called honeydew drips on and coats the leaves and objects below the infestation. A black fungus called sooty mold will grown on the deposited honeydew. There are many types of aphids attacking a large variety of host plants.
Natural controls include ladybugs, particularly the larvae. The larvae do not resemble adult ladybugs. They are black with blue spots and are elongated with pointed abdomen.
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This information kindly supplied by Michigan State University Extension, Ornamental Plants.
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