Aphids
Aphid / Melon aphid / Green peach aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) is a cosmopolitan insect pest that usually feeds on the underside of the leaves. A. gossypii is a small sap-sucking insect and is responsible for the spread of many virus diseases on various crops.
What are the symptoms
On ampalaya, melon aphid causes malformed, crinkled or twisted young shoots, leaves and stems. Flying alate aphids can transmit mosaic virus diseases. Also, infestation induces growth of sooty molds on leaves.
On eggplant/ cabbage, infestation causes cupping, distortion of leaves and stunted growth. Also attracts ants and sooty mold due to the production of honeydew.
On tomato, aphids cause malformed, crinkled or twisted young shoots, leaves and stems. Flying alate aphids can transmit mosaic virus diseases. Also, infestation induces growth of sooty molds on leaves.
Impact to the crop
Intensive infestation of aphids may result in wilting, decrease in yield due to direct feeding and reduction in the quality of harvest.
Aphids transmit mosaic virus in cucurbits
How to control
√ Use of yellow-painted sticky traps and reflective mulches.
√ Allow the population of natural enemies such as coccinellid beetles, syrphids and spiders.
√ Entomopathogenic fungi Neozygites fresenii and Verticillium lecanii can also help in the control of aphids in the field.
√ Apply chemical insecticides that are proven effective in sucking pests like aphids.
Source : Dela Cueva, et. al., 2015
