Notes on Stone Fruit Insects & Mites
Aphids

Identification

Aphids can weaken plants by the removal of sap, which causes leaves to wilt, curl or yellow. Many spread diseases. They are often found in colonies, usually on the underside of leaves. They excrete a substance called "honeydew" that promotes development of black sooty mould on leaf and fruit tissues.

Aphids may be winged or wingless. Winged aphids are associated with migration from one crop or host plant to another.

Period of activity

Aphids have complex life cycles. In Ontario, many aphid species overwinter in the egg stage on primary hosts. In the spring, the egg hatches and produces wingless offspring. These reproduce without mating and give birth to live young, which produce several generations of wingless females. When populations develop to high densities or when hosts begin to die back or mature, winged forms are produced and migrate to secondary hosts. In the fall, when temperatures drop and day length shortens, or when the plants slow their growth or die, winged forms are once again produced. These fly back to primary hosts where they mate, lay eggs and die.

Monitoring and thresholds

Peaches can tolerate infestations of up to 30% of their terminals or 20 colonies per tree. The threshold for control in nectarines is much lower at 10% terminal infestation or five to 10 colonies per tree. Consider the presence or absence of predators before you spray. Most growers choose not to control aphids in bearing trees, except in extreme situations.

Learn more...

• OMAFRA Publication 360 Tender Fruit Calendar
  • Apricot Calendar
  • Peach Calendar
    
  • Pear Calendar
    
  • Plum Calendar
    
  • Sour Cherry Calendar
    
  • Sweet Cherry Calendar
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Fruit Production Recommendations
• OMAFRA Tender Fruit Index page

  
  

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