Cotton aphids are beginning to show up in spots in fields.
Cotton aphids are beginning to show up in spots in fields. On plant terminals and young leaves feeding may result in distorted growth which may include stunted plants and rolled or downward cupped leaves. When feeding, cotton aphids secrete a sticky honeydew substance which drops onto leaves and other plant parts. A fungus then grows in the sugars in the honeydew resulting in a black sooty mold growth on the plant.
Aphid populations eventually crash in late summer due to a naturally occurring fungus. Gray fuzzy aphid cadavers on the bottom of leaves are indicative of this fungus.
During most years we can expect aphid populations to build during late June through early July and eventually crash due to a naturally occurring fungus. Gray fuzzy aphid cadavers on the bottom of leaves are indicative of this naturally occurring fungus. Once the fungus is detected in a field we would expect the aphid population to crash in about a week, especially if high humidity conditions exist. Insecticide treatments may be necessary if heavy aphid infestations develop and the beneficial fungus is not detected.
For more information on this cotton pest, please see the following publications:
Melon Aphid or Cotton Aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae)
- 2017 UF/IFAS Cotton Variety Trial Results - March 23, 2018
- Burlin and Levi Findley Families Honored as 2017 Santa Rosa County Farm Families of the Year - January 12, 2018
- Snails have Invaded the Western Panhandle - July 14, 2017