Aphid
An aphid is a small sap-feeding insect in the superfamily Aphidoidea. Many species form colonies on plants and reproduce rapidly.
Stylet: A slender, piercing mouthpart used by insects to reach fluids inside plants or animals. Aphids use paired stylets to pass between plant cells and reach phloem.
Aphid-transmitted plant viruses: Plant viruses spread between plants by aphids feeding on infected and uninfected hosts. Some aphids transmit viruses while probing or feeding on crops.
Ant–aphid mutualism: An ecological interaction in which ants obtain honeydew from aphids and may protect them from enemies. Ant attendance can shield aphid colonies in exchange for sugary honeydew.
Pea aphid: A green or pink aphid species, Acyrthosiphon pisum, that feeds on legumes and serves as a model organism. Its host shifts and genetic variation make it a major research species.
Phloem: The plant vascular tissue that transports sugars and other organic nutrients from sources to sinks. Its nutrient-rich sap is the main food source for many aphids.
Integrated pest management: A strategy that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to manage pests. Aphid control often relies on combining monitoring, natural enemies, and selective treatments.
Honeydew (insect secretion): A sugary liquid excreted by insects that feed on plant sap. Aphids excrete excess sugars as honeydew, which feeds ants and other insects.
Green peach aphid: A polyphagous aphid, Myzus persicae, that feeds on many crops and transmits plant viruses. Its broad host range and pesticide resistance make it a persistent crop pest.
Parthenogenesis: Reproduction in which an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg. Many aphids produce daughters without mating during favorable seasons.
Insecticidal soap: A contact pesticide made from potassium salts of fatty acids that disrupts susceptible insects' cell membranes. It can control exposed aphids while posing less persistence than many conventional insecticides.