The Different Species of Aphids and Their Characteristics

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 21 December, 2022

Aphids are small insects that belong to the Aphidoidea superfamily. It’s an extensive family, and we’ll be looking at many of the different species of aphids in today’s article, as well as their main physical characteristics and habits.

Currently, there are more than 4700 species of aphids. It’s the most numerous and diverse family of hemipteran insects.

Aphids’ morphological characteristics

An interesting characteristic of this family is that its individuals can look very different from one another. For example, there are both winged and wingless species, with different colors and patterns of coloration.

Generally, an aphid is characterized by its tiny size, since they only grow to be a few millimeters in length when they’re adults. Its body is soft and usually has an oval shape. Normally, there is no distinction between its head, abdomen, and thorax.

Depending on the species, it will have between four to six segmented antenna and three ocelli. The winged species have two pairs of transparent wings. The back wings are much larger than the front wings.

They also have two erect appendages—called cornicles or siphons—at the end of their abdomen. These small structures fulfill a defensive function. They expel repellent substances that scare away their predators.

Species of aphids and their reproduction

Aphids are viviparous insects that exhibit heterogony. That means they have different forms of reproduction. Generally, there’s an alternation between several generations of parthenogenetic females with a single amphigonic generation.

The so-called ‘virginal reproduction’—from unfertilized female sex cells—takes place in the parthenogenetic generations. This means that the offspring develop without the need for fertilization. As a result, the offspring are born as ‘clones’ of their progenitors.

This reproductive method is used by some species of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even birds. In the case of aphids, a single female can produce 100 offspring per reproductive phase. 

As for the amphigonic generations, reproduction occurs with the fertilization of the gametes that the males and females produce. The male transfers his sex cells to the female and the egg is fertilized inside her.

Experts believe that this characteristic is an adaptive capacity that aphids and some other animals have developed. By changing the way they reproduce, they can better guarantee the perpetuation of their species, even in poor environmental conditions. 

Aphid diet and habits

Despite what you may think, aphids aren’t related to fleas. In fact, they don’t resemble them morphologically or in their habitat and lifestyle.

Fleas are ectoparasites that usually feed on their hosts’ blood. On the other hand, aphids use their suction-like mouthparts to feed on the sap of plants.

Therefore, aphids are usually around crops and plantations. However, they’re considered pests in these areas because of their great reproductive capacity and their predatory habits.

Damage to crops

During the spring and summer, different species of aphids are usually crop producers’ greatest concerns. This is some of the damage these insects can cause on plantations:

• They suck the nutrients out of plants. In this way, they affect their correct development, which can result in deformations and withering.
• They eliminate molasses as a byproduct of their digestion. This makes the leaves and fruit sticky. As a result, dirt accumulates on the plants and their commercial value decreases.
• They can eliminate toxic substances using their saliva. In turn, this causes the leaves to deform. 
• Some aphids are carriers of the Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV).

How to naturally fight aphids

• Infusions: horsetail, wormwood, garlic, onion, and chamomile infusions can ward off aphids. You should only fumigate the plants on dry, sunny days.
• Neutral soap: you can make a mixture of one teaspoon of neutral soap with one liter of diluted water to combat aphids. Just spray a little on the plants.
• Aphid plant repellent: some plants are natural repellents for aphids, like lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, and mint. So, you can plant these around the other plants to keep the aphids from reproducing in your garden or around your crops.