Aphids On Anthuriums

Description

• Aphids are soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects that range in color from green, yellow or orange to red, pink or black. They use piercing mouth parts to suck sap from tender new growth. Aphids are typically found congregated around emerging leaves or flowers or on buds. They are generally wingless, but winged adults are produced when populations become too high for their host plant.

Damage

• As they suck sap from developing leaves and flowers, aphids cause injury resulting in curled, deformed or distorted growth. They can also cause stunted or slow growth. In addition to their feeding injury, aphids excrete a sticky, sweet substance called honeydew. Honeydew coats leaves, flowers and buds and can attract plant debris, dust, dead insects and other detritus that can be unsightly. Honeydew is also a food source for a type of mold called sooty mildew. This black, powdery mold can coat leaves, flowers and stems, shading them out and preventing photosynthesis.

Cultural Control

• For small infestations, use a cotton ball lightly soaked in rubbing alcohol and wipe aphids off the plant. You can wear gloves and squish them too, but the alcohol helps kill eggs and immature aphids as well. Use a spray bottle on the stream setting or a hose with a strong jet of water and knock them off the plant; they are poor climbers and will die in the dirt. Prune out leaves or flowers that are severely infested.

Chemical Control

• Mix a few drops of unscented, mild, liquid dish soap in a spray bottle of water and regularly spray your anthuriums. Insecticidal soaps are also available commercially. Horticultural oils are effective against aphids and, like soaps, are safer for indoor use. Applications of soaps and oils every seven to 10 days are usually adequate for aphid control. Always read and follow the manufacturer's directions carefully when you use chemicals on your plants.