4 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

2 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Spinach, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomato, pea, and other plants.

Vegetable

• Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)
• Pepper (Capsicum annum L. var. annum)
• Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo; C. maxima; C. moschata; C. mixta)
• Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima)
• Sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa )
• Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Aphids are small, pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects up to 1/8 inch long, usually with two tailpipelike posterior projections called cornicles. They are commonly green but can be any color. The nymphs are similar in shape but are smaller.

Aphids feed by sucking the juices from leaves and stems of spinach, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, tomato, pea, and other plants. Heavy numbers can cause leaf and stem distortion. In spinach, broccoli, and brussels sprouts, aphids commonly remain on the produce and become a contaminant for both fresh-market and processing crops. Much of what is sucked out of the plant is excreted as a concentrated sap or light syrup substance called honeydew that makes leaves sticky and may support sooty mold growth. High populations of corn leaf aphid produce enough honeydew to coat tassels and silks of sweet corn and reduce pollination and ear fill.

During the summer under high temperatures, aphids may go through a life cycle in less than a week, resulting in a rapid buildup of numbers. Only females may be present during the summer. They give birth to living young without mating. Many generations per year are possible. In the fall, males are produced, mating occurs, and overwintering eggs are laid.

Natural enemies such as lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps provide control, particularly in crops that have not been treated with insecticides. Despite biological control, harvested spinach, broccoli, and brussels sprouts may contain too many aphids at harvest. Chemical control may be needed to ensure a high level of control in crop seedbeds. Aphid control is recommended for cabbage whenever aphid colonies are detected. With broccoli and cauliflower, control often can be delayed until just before heading when a "cleanup" is necessary to prevent contamination at harvest. Control infestations on greens if aphid densities exceed four to ten per plant. Treat aphids on pepper where colonies are building.

Insecticides are not effective for preventing or controlling aphidborne viral diseases in peppers. Treat eggplant and tomatoes if 25 to 50 percent of plants are infested by wingless aphids; count only wingless aphids because their presence indicates colonies have started. Control aphids on potatoes at rates of 30 green peach aphids per 100 leaves or 50 potato aphids per 100 leaves. Asparagus aphids are rarely a serious pest in Illinois, so treatment is usually not justified.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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