Potato aphid
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
Conservation status: Common
When to see: May to September
About
The potato aphid is a greenfly, scientifically known as Macrosiphum euphorbiae, is a common pest in the UK in the family Aphididae and originates from North America. These sap-sucking pests can be winged or wingless and feed on plants in the Solanaceae family, including potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. They also feed on 200 different ornamental plants. These insects are typically only about 2-3 mm long and have a green or pink colouration with long antennae and siphunculi (tubes) projecting from their body. Potato aphids cause damage by sucking sap from plant leaves through their specialized mouthpart called a stylus leading to stunted growth.
| See also different: | Garden flies |
