![]() It isn’t a beneficial pollinator, and its very presence exposes my plants to disease and damage. These cabbage leaves have been ruined by a hungry aphid colony. While I admire the survival instincts of this pervasive garden insect, it’s still a pest I don’t want in my yard. How could such a nuisance of a pest be so fascinating?! Natural Deterrents The European yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus, has similar habits, farming root aphids below the soil for a steady honeydew supply, and occasional consumption of the bugs themselves. The big-headed ant thrives on sweet honeydew, herding and protecting its “cattle” in a symbiotic relationship. It lives in a symbiotic relationship with the aphid, herding it like cattle, milking it for its honeydew, and protecting it from predators. This sap is a favorite food of the big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala. This tiny pest excretes a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew that collects on foliage, inhibiting photosynthesis and making plants vulnerable to a disease called sooty mold. What caused the unique color patterns? It took until the 1920s to determine that they were the fortuitous byproduct of a virus transmitted by the peach-potato aphid!Īnd if that’s not amazing enough, here’s more: The rarity and novelty of its occurrence made the price of bulbs soar to the point that one was traded for a house! ![]() It seems that a white species of the flower would occasionally “break,” or bloom with red striations. In Life in the Garden, a fun read that’s available from Amazon, author Penelope Lively tells of a time in the 1630s when tulips were all the rage. The good news, per the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, is that while a plant may look bad, aphid feeding generally will not seriously harm healthy, established trees and shrubs.Īnd, at least once in history, an aphid-transmitted virus made a lot of money for some lucky horticulturists. And what I find most astonishing is that if a plant becomes too overcrowded and food is becoming scarce, females with wings are produced deliberately for the purpose of finding new homes for even more insects. All species reproduce by asexual reproduction, and some also by sexual means. Once established, a colony multiplies rapidly. And, much like Typhoid Mary, may transmit viruses from plant to plant in her search. ![]() Using a mouth part called a “stylet,” she probes a stem or leaf to see if it’s got what she seeks. A winged female scout flies around looking for a “host” plant to provide food and a place to reproduce. Per Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, a favorite resource of mine that is available on Amazon, the aphid is one of the top 10 insect pests.Īn infestation begins innocently enough. Let our guide be your go-to reference for looking good, feeling confident, and showcasing your unique style on the field this season.While I’ve battled plenty of colonies of aphids on my rosebushes with applications of soapsuds and endless streams of water, I knew very little about them until I did some research. Step onto the football field with confidence, armed with the best football accessories of 2023. With our recommendations, you can confidently choose accessories that not only add flair to your appearance but also provide the comfort and functionality needed for peak performance, especially under those Friday Night Lights or midday Saturday kickoffs. From fear-inducing eye-black, which actually boosts visibility, to hand towels to keep you dry while you look good doing so, to all the flashy and vibrant cleats, our guide offers the premium pick of products that will help you elevate your drip and bring a touch of swagger to your game. That's why we've curated a comprehensive buying guide featuring the best football accessories for the 2023-2024 season that will have you looking fly and dripping with conviction and swagger. The right football accessories can not only enhance your skills and style but also boost your self-confidence on the field. When it comes down to it, looking good and feeling confident can have a significant impact on your performance. Part of football today is all about the drip – which players have the ultimate swag and gear. When it comes to stepping onto the gridiron in between those painted sidelines, everyone who lines up at the snap wants to not only play well but look good doing so. Prices accurate at the time of publication. The ClutchPoints editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. This article contains affiliate links, where we may receive a commission from sales made.
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