Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae
(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The green peach aphid is found throughout North America and is a major pest due to its ability to transmit plant viruses. The life cycle can be completed in 10 to 12 days with up to 20 generations produced per year. In Florida, aphids reproduce without mating and populations consist of viviparous females that give birth to nymphs directly without laying eggs. In more northern climates, females mate and lay eggs in the fall. The aphid can overwinter in the egg stage on Prunus spp. in cold-winter areas, or as adults on vegetation in mild climates. Eggs are yellow or green initially, but turn black. Winged adults, which develop in response to crowing or declining host plant quality, have a black head and thorax with a yellowish-green abdomen with a dark patch (dorsal side). Wingless aphids are yellow to green in color. Some immature aphids may be pink in color.

Vegetable crops that serve as hosts are those found in the plant families Solanaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Cruciferae, and Cucurbitaceae. When plants are infested, they will have a reduced growth rate, wilt, and appear water stressed. Natural enemies include lady beetles, syrphids, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Conservation of these natural enemies by avoiding the use of broad-spectrum insecticide can result in good control of aphids. Vegetable fields should be monitored/sampled weekly for green peach aphid as well as the natural enemies. Systemic insecticides are commonly used to suppress populations in crops where the aphids directly damage the crop, but resistance will appear faster if pesticide is used repeatedly. Insecticides are of little value in reducing spread of viruses vectored by green peach aphid with few exceptions. Insecticidal soaps may also be used. Removal of alternate hosts (especially in greenhouses) and removal of overwintering sites can reduce problems with green peach aphid. Reflective mulches and floating row covers can slow spread of aphid-vectored plant viruses.

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Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, winged adult.
(Photographer: L. Buss., University of Florida)

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Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, nymphs.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)

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