Mint XXXI-5

Mint Aphid

Sue Blodgett & Bill Grey

Aphid.

Identification (life cycle and seasonal history)

Aphids are softbodied, insects that occur in colonies.  Wingless forms are bright green to yellow green in color.  Winged forms, more common in spring and fall, have dark brown head and thorax.

Plant response and damage

Aphids suck plant juices and at high densities cause leaves and plants to wilt and turn yellow.  Honeydew secreted by aphids causes plant to become sticky and provides a substrate for black mold.

Management Approaches

Biological Control

 

Generally predators including lady bird beetles, damsel bugs and syrphid flies and several small parasitic wasps attack aphids and can keep populations below economic levels.  Before applying insecticides for aphid control, the relative abundance of natural enemies should be considered.

 

Chemical Control

 

Avoid applying insecticide for aphids when plants are in bloom to reduce pollinator mortality.

 

Product list for Aphids:

Pesticide

Product Per Acre

Preharvest Interval, Remarks

Acephate2

1 1/3 lbs 75WSP

16oz  97UP

14 days. Do not graze treated areas. Do not apply more than 2 2/3 lbs ai/A/season

Actara

1.5 – 3.0 oz

7 day.  Do not exceed 8oz/A/season.  Do not use less than 10 GPA by ground.  Do not apply by air. Allow at least 14 days between applications

 

 

 

Malathion2

1.5 pt (5EC)

1 pt (8EC)

7 days PHI. 12 hrs REI

Orthene 75S

1.33 lb/A (75)

1 lb (97UP)

14 days.  24 hrs to re-entry.  Do not apply more than twice per season.   Do not apply during bloom.  Do not feed treated spearmint to dairy animals. Do not graze treated crop.

Pyrethrins1,2

2-16 oz (Evergreen EC 60-6)

 4.5 – 18 oz (PyGanic EC 5.0)

1-2 pt (Pyrellin EC)

0 days, 12 hr REI. Relatively non-toxic to bees. Highly toxic to fish; do not apply directly to water.

Metasystox-R1, R

3 pts

14 days. Apply in 20 GPA.

1 Label allows chemigation,
2 Generic active ingredient, several formulations available, see labels for rates
R Restricted use pesticide
The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

 

 

Categories: Mint, Insects, Mint aphid

 

Date: 06/06/2006