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Aphid
Insect
Aphid
Aphis fabae (blackfly, black bean aphid, black
aphid)
Macrosiphum rosae (greenfly, rose aphid)
There are over 500 aphid species in the UK, and several are common
garden pests. Typically they have pear-shaped bodies and range in
colour from black to pink, though most are green or brown.
Aphids secrete honeydew, which ants love. You may see ants
milking (stroking) aphids to encourage this secretion.
In spring, aphid eggs hatch into wingless females that do
not mate but produce live young (a process known as
parthenogenesis) – some of these young have wings and fly off
to other host plants. Several generations of aphid are produced
during the summer and aphid populations can increase rapidly.
In autumn, males and females are born. After mating, females lay
eggs that hatch in spring. Plants infested with aphids are often
distorted with weak-looking leaves and shoots.
What does it eat?
Drinks plant sap from flower buds, leaves and stems.
When will I see it?
Spring, summer and early autumn
Where will I see it?
On plant stems, leaves and flower buds. Often seen on roses, vegetables and nasturtiums.