Origin:
A very important agricultural pest, with over 120 known host plants, including citrus, coffee, mango, camellia, orchids, and others. It is found throughout the world where coffee is grown, and is present in the southern U.S. and Hawaii.
Biology:
Considered only a minor pest on coffee, where it feeds primarily on new growth. In nurseries this may be more of an economic problem if the aphid feeding causes leaf distortion and unmarketable products. It is, however, a known vector of several virus diseases to coffee and citrus. It is primarily a warm climate species which does not produce eggs, but reproduces only by asexual parthenogenesis, with females producing living nymphs at a rate of 6 per day, a total of 50 young per female. In warm regions it can live and reproduce throughout the year. This is the only known aphid capable of producing sound, a “scraping” sound caused by rubbing body parts together, and it may be audible when large populations occur.
Identification:
A round shiny black, brown, or reddish aphid, with winged and non-winged forms. Small, up to less than 1/8 inch long, with short, black and white banded antennae.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
A soil or trunk applied systemic insecticide can be very effective in killing the feeding aphids on non-food bearing trees. The systemic may provide longer control than sprays applied to the leaves, but sprays may provide rapid kill when needed quickly. Sprays should be applied prior to the occurrence of leaf curling, which inhibits the ability to contact the insects with the spray.
