Blackberry Aphid (example identification based on appearance and habitat context)

Found on the undersides of leaves, stems, and fruits of blackberry and raspberry plants.

Plant sap (phloem) extracted using piercing-sucking mouthparts.

They often form dense colonies and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. They reproduce both sexually and asexually depending on the season.

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.