So... What's With the Aphids?

[4X4]

Mackenzie Towne is full of them. I'm reluctant to complain, especially after the relatively mosquito-free summer we enjoyed (thanks to dragonflies), but I'd like to know what the reason is for the aphid infestation. Any insectologists on board here? Is insectologist a word?

[beachy]

no kidding - they are brutal out here in Tuscany also.

btw - i think the word is entomologist

[octothorp]

I believe the word is entomologist. No idea about the aphid infestation, I haven't noticed any in central Calgary, although the annual maple-beetle infestation is beginning and it looks like there's gonna be a lot of them this year.

edit: just doing a bit of research, the insects we're infested with are not maple-beetles, although we've always called them that. They're actually boxelder bugs. Anybody else get these? They live in the trees in our front yard, and every autumn they invade our porch and try to get into the house at every opportunity.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...re/DG0998.html

[Ironhorse]

I couldn't even go outside after sunset yesterday without having my white shirt covered in the little buggers...

[FCAV]

Forgive the ignorance, but are these the tiny little buggers that are like fruit flies of the outside? Douglas Glen is covered with those critters.

[4X4]

Yeah, it was pretty bad in cranston the other night, too. I haven't noticed it downtown though. Probably has much to do with being on the edge of town?

[habernac]

that happens every fall. For my bicycle commute to work, it's mandatory eyewear and breathe through your nose time.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Aaron Vickers

Forgive the ignorance, but are these the tiny little buggers that are like fruit flies of the outside? Douglas Glen is covered with those critters.

Yeah, little green ones.

[Madman]

It sucks having a yellow car right about now. Maybe I should charge people and park in front of their house to attract all the afids away.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I'm reluctant to complain, especially after the relatively mosquito-free summer we enjoyed (thanks to dragonflies)

What I find funny is this year I've heard people complaining about all the dragonflies. (Not sure what its like in other parts of the city, but McKenzie towne was swarming with them.)

Even when I mention that the dragon flies don't bite, they don't beg for food, and there's no mosquitos, people still complain.

[arsenal]

So, what eats the aphids?
Did we kill off their natural predator?
Or maybe the lady bugs unleashed their aphid army upon us.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by arsenal

So, what eats the aphids?
Did we kill off their natural predator?
Or maybe the lady bugs unleashed their aphid army upon us.

Actually, ladybugs are one of the biggest aphid predators, along with midges and lacewings.

[4X4]

So where are our ladybug friends? Have they abandoned us? Or do dragonflies eat ladybugs too?

[arsenal]

I thought lady bugs "milked" the aphids...

[Ford Prefect]

Aphid infestation occurs every year in the fall. One reason they're worse this year due to the amount of rainfall we've had, resulting in increased vegetative growth. Not sure if there's anything else involved ... maybe part of multi-year cycle or something.

Box elder bugs are certainly a cyclical problem. We had major box elder bug problems every spring and fall here in Drum a few years back. There haven't been any for the last two or three years now though.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by arsenal

I thought lady bugs "milked" the aphids...

Nope, ants milk the aphids.

http://www.pbase.com/antjes/lady_bug

[HockeyPuck]

I deal with aphids and their droppings every summer. I should be washing my car every 2 days, cuz my car is always covered in a sticky, sap like substance. I hate it... I really need a garage...

[droopydrew19]

Last year in Airdrie they released something liek 20000 ladybugs into the parks to combat the aphids. They must have all flown away becuase the aphids are back.... and they're Pi$$ed off.

[FireFly]

Is that what they are? Tiny little s swarm like fruit flies... that's what I thought they were, but then I was too busy killing them to look at them. Frick, they're horrible in Inglewood.

[Tron_fdc]

I'm curious what the fising has been like on the Bow.

Troutman? Neeper? Any info?