Apple grass aphid

Fig. 5.30. Life cycle of apple grass aphid Rhopalosiphum insertum).

The apple grass aphid hatches from the winter eggs as soon as the huds open. The nymphs suck on the rosette leaves or flower buds. At the beginning to middle of May they migrate to weeds (preferring annual meadow grass). The infestation then decreases abruptly. In autumn they return to the apple tree, where they copulate and the females lay the winter eggs on the old wood. 

DAMAGE THRESHOLD. The apple grass aphid is an important source of food for all the enemies of aphids and does not actually do any damage. 

CONTROL. Under no circumstances should the apple grass aphid be harmed, as its early occurrence attracts a very large number of benefi-cials. If large numbers of enemies of aphids appear very early, natural regulation of other aphid species is much easier. 

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