Warner

 

 

 

Citrus aphid

(Toxoptera citridus and T. aurantii)

Citrus aphid 1
They are small (0.4” to 0.12” in length), brown to black in colour, and may be winged (having 2 pair of wings) or wingless. They feed by sucking on new growth and blossoms. High numbers are found on the leaf surfaces during the period of flushing (production of new shoots) and stems of attacked young shoots die back. Attacked leaves are curled and distorted. Flower buds are damaged or drop. Aphids excrete large amounts of honeydew. Leaves and fruits may turn black due to the growth of sooty mould. Symptoms can be severe on flush growth during dry periods following rainy spells.

Citrus aphid 2
Citrus aphids transmit tristeza and other virus diseases in citrus. The black citrus aphid T. citridus is the most efficient vector of the citrus tristeza virus

 
 
 

This is a video of the aphid taken from the BBC's Life in the Undergrowth documentary series

The Aphid

 
 

Organic Aphid control with Ladybugs, benificial insects