Aphids

 Aphids often seem to find their way onto every type of plant, gardens and fields especially. They are small, soft-bodied insects that feed by sucking the nutrient-rich liquids out of plants. In large numbers, they can weaken plants significantly, harming flowers and fruit in particular. Aphids are known to multiply quickly, so it’s important to get them under control as early as possible. Many generations of them can occur in one season. Aphids are usually quite small (adults are under ¼-inch), and sometimes hard to see with the naked eye. Various species can appear in a wide range of coloration. Some may have a waxy or woolly coating on their bodies. They have pear-shaped bodies with long antennae; the nymphs look similar to adults. Most species have two short tubes (known as cornicles) projecting from their hind end. Adults are usually wingless, but most species will develop a winged form when populations become too crowded, so that when food quality suffers, the insects can travel to other areas to reproduce and start a new colony.  Aphids emit a sticky honeydew substance which can be seen on affected plants. Yellowed, curled, or misshapen fruit or leaves are another indicator of an infestation.