Last week, we discussed tomato diseases. This week, we will cover pests just as destructive: insects. Damage to plants via insects, animals, or harsh environmental conditions can leave open wounds for pathogens to enter the plant and cause diseases.
Aphids (Aphis spp.) are common visitors to vegetable gardens. Aphids infest a wide range of plants. Some important cultivated hosts include potato, tomato, eggplant, sunflower, pepper, pea, bean, corn, sweet potato, squash, pumpkin, and asparagus. These soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects may be solid pink, green, pink mottled, or light green with a dark stripe. Usually wingless, they are about one-eighth inch long. Aphids pierce veins, stems, growing tips, and blossoms with needlelike mouthparts. As a result, flowers are shed, plants are weakened, and yield is reduced. Aphids can spread rapidly, transmitting viral diseases.
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