CRAPE MYRTLE
APHIDDescription: The crape myrtle aphid feeds by inserting slender mouthparts into the leaves and sucking out sap that is rich in sugars. As they feed, aphids also inject saliva. This saliva causes pale yellow spots on the leaves. Overall plant vigor may suffer. Crape myrtle aphids are slow, fragile, insects that vary from 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. They are pale yellowish green with black spots on the abdomen. Winged adults have dark- tipped antennae and two double-pronged humps on the back. Young crape myrtle aphids resemble wingless adults although they are smaller.
Biology: Crape myrtle aphids were first discovered in Hawaii, but they are now known wherever crape myrtles are grown. These aphids excrete a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. When aphid numbers are large, honeydew often completely coats leaves and other objects below, giving infested plants a sticky or varnished appearance. Honeydew attracts ants, flies, wasps, and other insects. Dark, unsightly sooty molds often develop in honeydew, further disfiguring plants.
Crape myrtle aphids overwinter in the egg stage. The eggs hatch in April and for the rest of the growing season crape myrtle aphids give birth to living young. The young aphids mature in about 10 days. There are several generations per year. Both winged and wingless aphids are born during the growing season. Winged forms migrate to start new colonies only on crape myrtles. The last generation of females lays the overwintering eggs.
Control: Natural enemies of crape myrtle aphids include ladybird beetles and their larvae, green lacewings and their larvae (aphid lions), hover fly maggots, parasitic wasps, and entomophagous fungi. Sometimes these parasites and predators are not able to keep crape myrtle aphids under control, so chemical control may be needed. The current North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual should be consulted for current recommendations on chemical control.
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