Tomato: Identifying Natural Enemies of Aphids

Identifying Natural Enemies of Aphids

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Aphids mummified
by parasitic wasps
Parasitic wasps
Bigeyed bug
Syrphid fly

Green lacewings
Damsel bugs
Minute pirate bugs
Fungus-killed
green peach aphids

Lady beetles

Convergent lady beetle larva
Convergent lady beetle adult
Sevenspotted lady beetle larva
Sevenspoted lady beetle adult

Naturally occurring parasites, predators, and diseases are common and can provide control of aphids. Use the photos below to identify natural enemies. Names link to more information on identification and biology.

Click on photos to enlarge

Natural enemies of aphids

Aphids mummified by parasitic wasps
Identification tip: The dead black aphid above has been parasitized by an Aphelinid wasp. Aphids parasitized by other wasp species may form beige mummies.

Parasitic wasps
Identification tip: Parasitic wasps such as Lysiphlebus testaceipes kill aphids, causing them to become golden-brown mummies.

Bigeyed bug
Identification tip: Adults and nymphs are oval, somewhat flattened, about 1/4 of an inch long, with a wide head and prominent bulging eyes.

Syrphid fly
Identification tip: Larvae are legless, maggot shaped, and opaque with tapered heads.

Green lacewings
Identification tip: Larvae are flattened, pale with dark markings, a tapered tail, and prominent mandibles. They are shaped like tiny alligators measuring 1/8 to 4/5 of an inch long.

Damsel bugs
Identification tip: Adults (bottom) are slender insects that are mostly yellowish, gray, or dull brown, measuring about 2/5 of an inch long, and have elongated heads and long antennae.

Minute pirate bugs
Identification tip: Adults are small, 1/12 to 1/5 of an inch long, oval, black or purplish with white markings, and have a triangular head.

Fungus-killed (Entomophthora aphidis) green peach aphids
Identification tip: Look for aphids that appear fuzzy and orangish. Monitor especially during humid weather when fungal pathogens are more prevalent.

More natural enemies of aphids: lady beetles—Top of page

Convergent lady beetle (larva)
Identification tip: Larvae are elongate with long legs and resemble tiny alligators.

Convergent lady beetle (adult)
Identification tip: Adults are mostly orange with black spots and converging white marks on the thorax. Some individuals have fewer spots, and some, no spots.

Sevenspotted lady beetle (larva)
Identification tip: Larvae are elongate, grayish, yellow- spotted, and alligator shaped.

Sevenspotted lady beetle (adult)
Identification tip: Adults have a black thorax with white along the front margin. Seven black spots are on the red or orangish wing covers, which may have 2 white areas near the front.

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