Help me please! I have to get rid of these!
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$\begingroup$ I Guess Its this entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/aphid/green_peach_aphid.htm. please feel free to add more information. $\endgroup$– L.DiagoCommented May 20, 2018 at 16:58
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3$\begingroup$ Please provide your location, time of year you took the photo, species/cultivar of peach tree (if known) and an approximate size for the pests. Thanks. $\endgroup$– theforestecologist ♦Commented May 20, 2018 at 17:23
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1$\begingroup$ I am happy that i was right ať least with that fact that it is aphid. 😉 $\endgroup$– L.DiagoCommented May 20, 2018 at 18:08
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$\begingroup$ @L.Diago yeah, nice call! Glad you added the guess as a comment. It helped me form the 2nd half of my answer :). $\endgroup$– theforestecologist ♦Commented May 25, 2018 at 2:34
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1 Answer
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These are definitely some sort of aphid (small sap-sucking true bugs in the superfamily Aphidoidea).
Based on the coloration and shape of the pest and the host plant, my best guess is that you're looking at Hyalopterus pruni (or the Mealy Plum Aphid).
- Note: the scientific name of this species has changed at least 21 times!
Photo by Jack Kelly Clark
- Looks like this person also found this species of aphids on a black cherry tree if you want to see more picture.
Description:
Wingless adult aphids are pale green with three dark green longitudinal stripes on their backs. Their bodies are covered with a white, mealy wax. [source].
Host Plants:
Typically trees in the Prunus genus: cherries, plums, almonds, apricots, nectarines, and -- you guessed it -- peaches. [source].
Damage:
Plant can become stunted from high numbers of aphids, but the primary concern is the development of mold that grows on the aphid's honeydew. [source].
Management:
See this University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources site for management suggestions.
Suggestions:
Biological: lady beetles, lacewings, or soldier flies
Organic: biological control + sprays of neem oil
Pesticides (typically not needed): Phosmet, Diazinon, and others in the fall; neem oil, flonicamid and others in the spring.
Final Notes:
Just because an aphid shares a name with an individual plant (e.g., the green peach aphid mentioned in the comments) doesn't mean that the species is limited to just that plant or that any aphid found on said host is that species. Many aphids feed on a wide range of host plants, so limiting your host to an individual species doesn't necessarily rule out a wide range of pests. However, it is not uncommon for an aphid species to stick to a single genus, narrow set of genera, or narrow set of families of host plants.
answered May 20, 2018 at 18:03