Essay On Aphids

Aphids

Aphids are a common type of insect that suck the sap from plants which causes a lack of plant vigour and stunted or distorted growth. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew onto the leaves of plants which can become home to sooty moulds. Some aphids transmit plant viruses like mosaic virus which turns the leaves a mottled yellow colour which is a problem on cucumbers but they can also be a problematic on strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and many other plants.

Cultural Control

Before planting check area for sources of aphids and remove. Always check transplants for pests and remove them before planting. Where populations are found on a few leaves or shoots you can try by pruning these and disposing them. Many plants

However, the most commonly sold predators are other types of mites. One type of product is called Spidex. (Phytoseiulus persimilis). When released onto affected plants they will immediately begin searching for food on the underside of leaves. If only a few plants are infested, consider removing them.

Leatherjackets

Leatherjackets are the larvae of the Daddy Long Legs and have long tubular grey/brown bodies, up to 30mm long. They have no legs or obvious head and resemble a large maggot. They are a common pest in lawns and also can attack vegetables. There are not many chemical control methods and this means they must be controlled through good practice or biological means.The eggs are laid on the soil in late summer and overwinter in the soil until spring when the larvae become active again and start to feed on the roots of plants often eating through plant stems at soil level.

Cultural Control

By soaking the ground with water and covering it with polythene you can bring large numbers of leatherjackets to the surface and they can easily be picked by hand removed and then destroyed. When preparing beds for sowing in spring you can rotavate the beds several times over the weeks previous to planting in them and let the Crows and Rooks pick them