• The pest attacks young stems and the undersides of leaves.
• Leaves curl.
• Plant stunts.
• Fungal growth is seen on the leaves due to the honey-like fluid secreted by the pest.

Management

• Check transplants for aphids before planting.
• Reflective mulches such as silver colored plastic can deter aphids from feeding on plants.
• Sturdy plants can be sprayed with a strong jet of water to knock aphids from leaves.
• Use yellow sticky traps for aphids and whitefly @ 4-5 trap/acre.
• Release 1st instar larvae of green lacewing bug (Chrysoperla zastrowi) @ 4,000 larvae/acre.
• Spraying with tobacco decoction (1 Kg tobacco boiled in 10 l of water for 30 minutes and making up to 30 l + 100 g soap).
• Organic control includes insecticidal soaps (1%) and horticultural mineral oils (1%).
• Spray with 4g thiamethoxam/10l of water
• The entire plant canopy should be drenched with the solution
• Natural enemies of aphid
  • Parasitoids: Aphidius colemani, Aphelinus sp.,
  • Predators: Fire ant, Robber flies, Big-eyed bug (Geocoris sp), Earwig, ground beetle, Cecidomyiid fly, Dragon fly, Praying mantis, Lacewing, Ladybird beetle, Spider etc.