Blackberry Aphid (example identification based on appearance and habitat context)
Scientific Name: Aphis ruborum
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Aphididae
Size: 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found on the undersides of leaves, stems, and fruits of blackberry and raspberry plants.
Diet & Feeding
Plant sap (phloem) extracted using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
They often form dense colonies and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. They reproduce both sexually and asexually depending on the season.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk includes stunted plant growth and the spread of plant viruses; they benefit ecosystems by serving as a primary food source for ladybugs and lacewings.
Identified on: 6/3/2026