Tomato Insect Pests
 

Cotton Aphid
Aphis gossypii
 

Found worldwide

Damage Symptoms

Leaves are stunted and distorted and often curl under. The upper surface is sticky and has a black moldy growth. Plants have fewer frutis than usual. Some wilting is also evident.

Insect Characteristics

Piercing-sucking mouthparts. These are small insects that are rather pear-shaped with prominent reddish eyes. They vary from yellow to green to black. Some have transparent wings.


Where To Look

Select leaves that are beginning to curl under or have signs of black sooty mold on the upper surface. Turn them over and look for groups of variable-sized insects. You should see adults and young living and feeding together.

Aphids on leaves

Technical information

The cotton aphid has continual generations and many different host. When populations on the host plant are high, winged forms are produced, and these fly to adjacent plants to establish new colonies. Aphid colonies are commonly visited by ants which feed on the honeydew secreted by the aphids. This honeydew also serves ad the food on which the sooty mold grows. The cotton aphid is a virus vector and has a wide host range including many vegetable crops.


Control

To be added.