Aphids on My Pomegranate Plant

Identification

• Also called plant lice, aphids are tiny insects with pear-shaped bodies and a rear projection resembling an automobile tailpipe that is unique to the species and called a cornicle. Aphids that attack pomegranate may have black cornicles or light green cornicles. The insects have long, backswept antennae. Aphids suck the juices from new, tender growth on the pomegranate and can be found in clusters on the plant.

Damage

• Aphids have piercing, sucking mouthparts for sucking out the phloem, or plant juices. As the aphids reduce the phloem available to the area where they are feeding, the leaves crinkle or curl up and become discolored. Stems and leaf buds can appear deformed and their growth becomes stunted.

Collateral Damage

• Aphids secrete a sticky, sweet substance called honeydew that appears as shiny, translucent streaks or blotches on leaves and stems. Honeydew growing where two pomegranate fruits touch can cause the area to rot. Honeydew attracts ants, which protect the substance by keeping aphid predators away. The material is a breeding ground for sooty mold, a fungal infection that grows atop the honeydew and appears blackish-gray to black. Sooty mold interferes with photosynthesis.

Biological and Organic Controls

• A hard spray of water knocks aphids off the plants and may be the only treatment needed for a small infestation. Wash houseplants in the shower. Use the garden hose on yard-grown pomegranates. Repeat every three to five days until the aphids are gone. If any aphids are left, wipe them away with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water or spray soapy water directly onto the plants. Another option is to Invite predatory insects to the garden. Several species of aphid predators are available at most garden centers. Switching to a slow-release fertilizer lower in nitrogen can reduce the insects' ability to reproduce rapidly. Prune away heavily infested branches, if possible, and destroy the cuttings to kill the insects.

Chemical Control

• Control ants with boric acid or ant barriers to allow predator insects, such as lady beetles, lacewings and parasitic insects, to kill the aphids for you. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps if the aphid population is large or stubbornly sticks to the plant. If all else fails, most garden centers carry pesticides formulated to kill aphids indoors or outdoors. Follow label instructions for proper application and timing. Keep in mind that these products also kill beneficial insects that feed on aphids.