Bug Identifier
Blackberry Aphid (likely)
Community identification

Blackberry Aphid (likely)

Aphis ruborum

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Aphididae
Size
1.5mm to 2.5mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on the undersides of leaves on cultivated and wild blackberries or raspberries

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous, sucking sap from the stems and leaves of host plants

Behavior Patterns

They are pear-shaped and slow-moving, often congregating in large colonies to feed; they reproduce quickly during warm months

Risks & Benefits

A common garden pest that can cause leaf curling or stunted growth in plants, but they provide a vital food source for beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings