Aphid
Scientific Name: Acyrthosiphon pisum (Pea aphid) or other Aphididae species - specific identification is difficult from the image alone, but it strongly resembles a green aphid.
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
Size: Typically 1-10 mm, but most common species are 1-3 mm in length. The specimen in the image appears to be on the smaller side, likely 1-2 mm.
Natural Habitat
Aphids are found worldwide in a variety of habitats where host plants are present. They commonly infest garden plants, agricultural crops, trees, and ornamental plants. They can be found on leaves, stems, and sometimes roots.
Diet & Feeding
Aphids are phytophagous, feeding exclusively on plant sap (phloem). They are considered sap-sucking insects.
Behavior Patterns
Aphids are generally slow-moving insects. They reproduce very rapidly, often through asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis), where females give birth to live young without mating. This allows populations to grow quickly. They feed by inserting their stylets (mouthparts) into plant phloem to suck out sap. Some species, when disturbed, may drop off the plant or excrete a defensive waxy substance.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Aphids are significant agricultural pests. They cause direct damage by sucking plant sap, which can lead to wilting, stunted growth, and distorted leaves. They also excrete honeydew, a sticky substance that can promote the growth of sooty mold, blocking photosynthesis. More importantly, aphids are vectors for many plant viruses, transmitting diseases from infected to healthy plants. Benefits: Some aphid species can be a food source for beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverfly larvae, making them part of the food web. In some cases, specific aphid species might be used in biological control research.
Identified on: 8/17/2025