The aphids as the pests in the greenhouse

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aphid greenhouse pests

Features of aphids propagation in greenhouses

The microclimate in the greenhouses are ideal for the crops propagation due to the formation of the medium with the high temperature and the optimum level of humidity within the greenhouse construction. However the same conditions contribute to the active vital activity of many species of harmful insects. The one of the most common types are aphids greenhouse pests.

The aphid is the tiny and soft-bodied insect from a squad of half-wings feeding only vegetable juice. The aphids settle in numerous colonies on the leaves and stems of plants. The large colonies of aphids can number hundreds of individuals. The aphids are phytophagous. Aphids with the help of the special proboscis can attach the plant’s body. And begin to drink the juice of the plant after that. That is the reason why we can say that aphids feed on plant juices. These tiny pests also carry many kinds of viral diseases of plants. In addition to that aphids are following their priority target to deplete the plant and damage it completely.

Propagation of aphids

The aphids greenhouse pests can reproduce very quickly. In the conditions of the greenhouse the one female aphid can start reproducing itself parthenogenetically. That means without any fertilization within a week after birth. The completely formed adults can reproduce themselves during their entire life cycle at the rate level of from six up to ten larvae per day. There can occur up to three generations of insects with a total number of several thousand individuals within just a month from one single female aphid.

When the colony expands or when the food starts to dry up the individuals begin to migrate to neighboring plants spreading wider and wider. The actions of aphids look like quite expansively. The single insect lives about one month approximately. The leaves and stems of the plants where the aphids have settled their nests begin to wilt and curl. The aphids are secreted the honey herb when they are digesting the life juices of the plants.  That is a sweet sugar liquid which can serve as the food for other types of insects as for example the ants. Therefore during the process of eating and excreting such kind of excrement it can attract other pests into the greenhouse.

ladybugs feed on aphids
ladybugs feed on aphids

The aphids are carriers of viral diseases of plants as already mentioned above. Aphids are borne of the virus which is the cause of the formation of galls. The galls are the pathological formations on the plant body which can lead to its death. Once the insect brings a viral infection from the outside environment into the isolated room of the greenhouse it can quickly spread in closed greenhouse conditions affecting not only one plant.

Precautions against aphids greenhouse pests

There are both winged and wingless individuals can be found within a single species of aphids. It is most often that the pest enters the greenhouse using the help of winged individuals. As we know the aphids can multiply without the participation of males. So as the result even a single winged aphid is able to create a colony of a thousand heads per month accidentally flying into the greenhouse through the open door or vent. It’s clear that you cannot prevent the greenhouse from a tiny insect from flying into the interior of the greenhouse. Of course you can keep the greenhouse completely closed from the outside environment. But it isn’t good idea because the plants will suffocate from heat and lack of oxygen.

Therefore first of all it is highly recommended carefully monitor the condition of plants. And the presence of the foreign bodies and unnatural plaque on the plants as a protective measure against the appearance of aphids. It will be much easier to fight against insects if you will notice the growth of the colony just in time while the number of insects is not very high and before they began to migrate to neighboring plants.

In case if the greenhouse or particular plant will be infected by the aphids than you should use appropriate insecticides. We highly recommend to use only organic pesticides without “heavy” chemistry.  You should use the treatment several times with the interval of from three days up to a week depending on the extent of the pest.

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