UMass Extension Landscape Message June 27, 2014

"Free-feeding Aphids of many species remain very active. Inspect the undersides of foliage for populations that appear to be building in numbers. Honeydew and sooty mold on foliage is often the first-noticed sign that aphids might be present on a host plant. An Insecticidal Soap spray can be very effective if targeted to where the aphids are feeding, which is usually on the leaf undersides. Also inspect for naturally occurring predators within populations of aphids, which include: syrphid fly larvae and ladybug larvae as well as the adult beetles. Note that while ladybug larvae are often described as looking like âÂÂlittle dragonsâ certain ladybug species closely resemble mealybugs, which are pests. Certain ladybug predators that attack tuliptree scale fall into this category. When aphid species reach unacceptable levels on a host plant, predators will still be present but in too low of a ratio to the aphids in order to manage them naturally. Natural controls in the insect world often follow the build up of pests and therefore are unable to reduce the pest numbers significantly in a quick manner. Choose management strategies carefully in order to not disrupt the natural development of the predator-prey relationship that keeps the pest species in low and non-damaging numbers."

-Claire