Description
The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is one of the most common aphids in the country. It is present in every state and is often seen on vegetables, fruit, and ornamental plants. It is a yellowish green aphid with tiny red eyes. In most areas the green peach aphid lays black shiny eggs that survive the winter on peach, plum, cherry, and related trees. In spring, the eggs hatch and 2 or 3 generations of aphids develop on the trees. The aphids then migrate to other, usually herbaceous, plants such as weeds, flowers, and vegetables. In the vegetable garden, green peach aphids are especially attracted to spinach and potatoes, but they also feed on many other vegetables and flowers. They complete many generations on these plants during the summer. In the autumn, winged females fly back to fruit trees, complete 1 or more generations, mate and produce females, which lay the overwintering eggs. Green peach aphids rarely damage fruit trees, but at times they seriously injure vegetables and flowers because they remove plant sap and can transmit plant viruses. Many other insects feed on aphids, but do not always keep the population under control.
Control
Apply control measure as for other aphids (see Aphids). Apply a dormant oil spray to peach, plum, cherry, and related trees to kill overwintering eggs.
