Lettuce root aphids can be distinguished from other aphids found on lettuce by their short antennae (less than one-third body length) and undeveloped cornicles. They are found on lettuce roots in clustered colonies covered with a white powdery wax. Where lettuce or related weeds are not available, these aphids overwinter in the egg stage on the bark of Lombardy poplar. They develop to adults and reproduce once on poplar before migrating to lettuce. On lettuce they begin to feed and reproduce; winged adults develop that can spread from field to field. Lettuce root aphid is a serious pest mostly where lettuce is planted near Lombardy poplars.

                                                                                     

Susceptible Plants- are lettuce, low thistle, and Lombardy poplar, a common winter host.

Symptoms- Plants heavily attacked by the lettuce root aphid may wilt during the day. The developing heads remain soft, fail to develop properly, and yields are reduced. Extremely heavy aphid populations over a prolonged period can cause collapse and death of the plant. Individual rootlets turn brown and die. Masses of white, woolly material and lettuce root aphids are present on roots.

Pure Spray Organic Hort Oil 24.95

Prevention and Control- If infested lettuce grows rapidly, a satisfactory crop may often result. Avoid stressing plants and maintain optimum water levels. To help reduce an infestation, eliminate cracks where aphids enter the soil and attack plant roots. If an infestation occurred on the previous crop, work the soil deeply and allow it to dry thoroughly before replanting to lettuce. Tilling or discing an infested crop will not eliminate the population before replanting.

Do not plant lettuce near Lombardy poplars where lettuce root aphids overwinter. Plant root  lettuce aphid resistant cultivars, Crop rotation  is an important component of pest and disease control..

Biological Control-  Aphid Predators: Aphidoletes aphidimyza, Praying Mantis Egg Case: Tenodera sinensis, or Green Lacewings.  Pirate Bugs: Orius insidiosis Both nymph and adult Pirate Bugs use their ''piercing sucking'' beak to pierce a hole and suck victims dry.

Insecticidal Control-  such as Purespray Organic Horticultural Spray Oil for severe outbreaks of lettuce root aphids It is OMRI listed for organic production, 99% pure significantly reducing the risk of phytotoxicity, controls all insect stages, egg to adult, has no post harvest restrictions, kills through suffocation, has no known resistance, and is virtually odor free.

AzaMax Natural Pest Control is an Organically Registered, APVMA Registered broadspectrum insecticide based on a naturally derived plant liminoid called Azadirachtin derived from the the neem tree (Azadirachta indica).

Insect Hot Pepper Wax- Certified Organic Made from Hot Cayenne Peppers, this product will repel insects from fruit, flowers, houseplants and vegetables for up to 30 days.

More Lettuce Root Aphid Controls 

AzaMax Insecticide $16.95	Organocide Organic Insecticide $17.42	Ladybug Beetles   $17.50

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