Crape Myrtle Aphids
Description:
Adult aphids are 1/16-inch long, light green to yellow with black spots and body markings.
The second abdominal segment has a double-pronged hump. Wings are clear with dark markings
and they are held roof-like over the back of the body. Some adults are wingless.
Nymphal stages are yellow and wingless.
Although several other aphid species have been reported to infest crapemyrtles,
including cotton or melon aphids and black citrus aphid, the crapemyrtle aphid is the most
commonly encountered and can be distinguished from the other aphid species by the hump
on the adult second abdominal segment.
Life Cycle:
Simple metamorphosis; parthenogenic. Female aphids produce live young,
a process called parthogenesis, particularly during the summer months.
Nymphal and adult stages can be found on host plants throughout the year,
but appear to build up in higher numbers during the hot summer months.
Pest Status:
Buildup in high numbers on crapemyrtles, causing a buildup of honeydew and
sooty mold and making plants unsightly and unhealthy.
Control:
Aphids are often controlled by natural forces, such as driving rains,
or high or low temperatures. Insect predators include lady beetle adults and larvae,
lacewing larvae, and syrphid fly larvae.
