Aphids
The aphid is said to have over 500 species, including greenfly & blackfly. They cause damage to plants across a broad spectrum, including cabbages, broad beans, to aubergines & tomatoes in the greenhouse. They feed on plants by inserting their syringe like mouths into the plant then sucking the sap. This then weakens the plants & passes on viral diseases from plant to plant. They produce honeydew ; a sticky waste which forms a growth medium for moulds & is prized by ants who actually farm the aphids, protecting them from predators in return for a food source.
Broad beans which are usually seen to be hit by blackfly, once they have grown just clip off the growing tip & dispose of it with the pests attatched. The natural enemy of the aphid is the ladybird, you can buy ladybird larvae as a biological control for use in your greenhouse or polytunel.
Blog & Research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
