Pulgones
Aphids
Aphids
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
INTERMEDIATE
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Aphids are a group of insects that belong to the superfamily Aphidoidea, and affect a wide variety of crops, including spinach and similar plants. There are different species of aphids that attack these plants, some of the most common being Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae. These insects reproduce rapidly under favorable conditions, often asexually, by parthenogenesis, allowing them to produce offspring without the need for mating. Viviparous females can give birth to nymphs that, after several molts, become adults in a few days. Aphids usually form dense colonies on the underside of leaves and tender shoots, where they feed by inserting their stylets to extract sap from the plant. During their development, some species of aphids produce winged individuals that disperse in search of new host plants.
SYMPTOMS
In spinach and similar plants, aphids cause a general weakening of the plant due to constant sap extraction, which reduces its ability to grow and develop. As aphids feed, they also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can encourage the development of fungi such as sooty mold, darkening the surface of leaves and preventing photosynthesis.
- Rolled or deformed leaves.
- Presence of molasses on the leaves.
- Development of sooty mold (black fungus) on the surface of the leaves.
- Delayed growth.
- Discoloration of leaves or yellowing.
- Premature leaf fall in severe cases.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
18-25°C
60-80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Wind, contact with infected plants, flying insects, contaminated tools, infected plant material
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• ADHESIVE TRAP
• CHROMATIC TRAP
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• PARAFFIN OIL (CAS [8042-47-5]) 54.6% [EW] P/V
• Azadirachtin 2.6% (AS AZADIRACTIN A) [EC] P/V
• ADHESIVE TRAP
• CHROMATIC TRAP
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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- Carry out regular inspections on the leaves, especially on the underside, to detect aphid colonies early.
- Promote the presence of natural enemies such as ladybugs, lacewings and parasitoid wasps, which are effective predators of aphids.
- Apply mineral oils or potassium soap-based insecticides to control incipient infestations.
- Maintain an adequate balance of nutrients in the soil, avoiding excess nitrogen, which stimulates the growth of susceptible tender tissues.
- Rotate crops with species not susceptible to aphids to interrupt the reproductive cycle of the pest.
- Cover the crops with fine protective mesh to prevent winged aphids from reaching the plants.
- Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce winged aphid populations.
- Apply selective insecticides when populations are very high, prioritizing products compatible with natural enemies.
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