Does it ever seem that you look at one of the plants in your garden and it’s totally fine, and then the next time you look at it, it’s covered with aphids? That could be because aphid populations can ... Aphids, those sap-sucking foes of gardeners, come in a variety of colours.

Understanding the Context

We usually think of them as green, but pea aphids sometimes wear a fetching red ensemble. That may not strike you as anything ... Symbiotic ants manipulate aphid reproduction rates to achieve a specific mix of green and red aphids, maintaining the inferior green aphids which produce the ants' favorite snack. Ants and aphids ...

Key Insights

Pests like aphids and spider mites can quickly ruin a garden, but early detection makes them easier to manage. LSU Ag explains how to catch and control these pests before they become a problem. Aphids will feed on just about any plant, including peppers. You might not notice the soft-bodied insects right away—they're small and don't leave obvious holes. Instead, they suck the sap from leaves ...

Final Thoughts

San Diego Union-Tribune: Garden Mastery: Look for natural antidotes to aphids in your plantings Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Can You Believe the Gall of These Aphids? The insects known as aphids can make their own essential nutrients called carotenoids, according to new research. No other animals are known to make the potent antioxidants, which are crucial for life ...