Aphid

A newer version of this article is available: see Aphid at Schools Wikipedia

Aphids

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Homoptera
Superfamily:	Aphidoidea

Families

Adelgidae
Aphididae
Pemphigidae
Phylloxeridae
and several more

Aphids (superfamily Aphidoidea) are small plant-sucking insects. There are several families and numerous genera. They are generally soft-bodied with long thin legs; adults have lacy transparent wings. Most of the aphids one sees in a plant infestation are juveniles.

Many aphids are serious pests in agriculture and forestry, and an annoyance for gardeners. Important natural predators include ladybirds, hoverfly larvae and lacewingss.

Some species of ants "farm" aphids, supplying them with leaves to eat, and eating the honeydew that the aphids secrete.

P-14 lady beetle consuming an aphid

More photos of (beneficial insect)ladybugs eating aphids can be seen at: http://www.pollinator.com/gallery/June/ladybug.htm

Genera include Adelges, Aphis, Brevicoryne, Daktulosphaira (Vine Phylloxera), Eriosoma, Macrosiphum, Marchalina, Metopolophium, Myzus, Pemphigus, Phylloxera, Rhopalosiphum, Tetraneura and many more.

SEM image