
How to recognize aphids
Aphids belong to the suborder of Sternorrhyncha, like whiteflies, mealybugs, soft- and armoured scales. All species that belong to Sternorrhyncha feed on plant saps. They puncture the phloem vessels of plants with their mouthparts and take up large amounts of plant saps. The surplus of sugars is excreted as honeydew. The honeydew makes the plant and its surroundings sticky. This is usually the first sign of aphid presence. Aphids are often found in the top of the plant, on leaf- and flower buds. Also, the underside of leaves is a preferred sheltering place.
There are many different aphid species, including a large number of harmful species. Aphids can be found indoors in homes and greenhouses or outdoors in gardens and on trees in forest and streets. Aphid species can vary a lot: there are green, red, yellow, black, large or very small aphid species. They reproduce very quickly into large colonies. Aphid species can be distinguished by several characteristics: body colour, body shape, leg colour, antennae colour, colour and shape of siphons, and shape and length of their cauda (tail).
A way to recognize aphid presence is by the white, empty skins they leave on plants after molting. This is dead material and can be used as an indicator of aphid presence.


Aphid damage
Aphids use their stylet to suck plant saps from leaves. Leaf damage can lead to early leaf drop. This will decrease plant growth and yield. The feeding can also result in allergic reaction causing deformations. The surplus of sugars that aphids ingest are excreted as honeydew. This sticky substance acts as a growth medium for black sooty mold fungus. In addition, aphids are known to transmit plant viruses.
Biological control of aphids
Aphids are a common pest that can quickly reach damaging population sizes and is very difficult to get rid of. This makes it important to find a solution that fits to the specific aphid species and situation. We produce many different products that can help control aphids under various conditions. Our parasitoids are rather specific and work only against one or several aphid species. Other products, such as the two-spotted and fourteen-spotted lady beetles, are suitable for controlling many different aphid species. Which product is the most suitable depends on pest pressure, crop, conditions, season and presence of other pests.
- PROPYLEA QUATUORDECIMPUNCTATA is very effective for use in horticulture during spring.
- APHISCOUT is mainly suitable for preventive use.
- APHIDEND works well in many greenhouse situations, especially when aphids are found in colonies.
- APHIPAR and ERVIPAR are suitable when aphid infestations are in a beginning phase.
- CHRYSOPA is also effective at low temperatures and works well in tall crops.
- ADALIA BIPUNCTATA is mainly used in public areas and private gardens. Sometimes also used in greenhouses to control large groups of aphids.

Our products against aphids
ADALIA BIPUNCTATA
Effective against
- Many different aphid species
APHIPAR
Effective against
- Cotton aphid
- Green peach aphid
APHILIN
Effective against
- Foxglove aphid
- Green peach aphid
- Potato aphid
PROPYLEA QUATUOR
-DECIMPUNCTATA
Effective against
- Foxglove aphid
- Green peach aphid
ERVIPAR
Effective against
- Foxglove aphid
- Yellow rose aphid
- Potato aphid
APHIDEND
Effective against
- Many different aphid species
APHISCOUT
Effective against
- Many different aphid species
CHRYSOPA
Effective against
- Many different aphid species
EXOCHOMUS
QUADRIPUSTULATUS
Effective against
- Several soft scales
- Several (woolly) aphids