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Cotton Aphid Control | Aphis gossypii 

Since the 1980s, the (Aphis gossypii) cotton aphid has caused much economic damage in various horticultural crops. This aphid can establish itself on more than 700 different plants, including the cucumber, bell pepper, strawberry and chrysanthemum. The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) prefers warmer regions, but is common worldwide. In the article you will read about biological and chemical control of cotton aphid.
Cotton aphid
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | May 2, 2023 | 4 min. reading time

Identify Cotton aphid 

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) is mostly found in the younger parts of plants; often on the underside of leaves and shoots. The cotton aphid can be winged or wingless. The wingless aphid has a stocky, round body shape of 0.9-1.8 mm in size. This size depends on temperature, food availability and population density. Its color varies from pale yellow to black-green. It also has red eyes and black siphuncles on its lower body (this is the most important distinguishing feature for identifying this aphid). 

The winged cotton aphid is on average slightly larger, has a black head and body and a yellow/dark green abdomen. The winged cotton aphid siphuncles are also black and short. 

For prompt detection of aphids, signaling rolls can be used. It is difficult to determine on sticky traps what aphid is involved but they do indicate the cotton aphid infestation. In doubt about the type of aphid? Then read our article on aphid control.

Lifecycle of the Cotton Aphid

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) can reproduce both sexually and asexually. The eggs can survive the winter and hatch in large numbers in the spring. Due to a mostly constant temperature in Dutch greenhouse horticulture, asexual reproduction prevails. The population then consists of females only. The females are viviparous. A female can produce three to ten offspring per day, which can make the development of a cotton aphid population be extremely fast. The nymphs start to feed on plant saps immediately after birth.

The development of nymphs takes six days at 28 °C and ten days at 16 °C (cultivation crop: cucumber). During the development of the aphid, it sheds its skin a total of 4 times. With each molt, the aphid leaves behind white skin remnants.  

Damage symptoms of cotton aphid

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) betrays its presence in crops by leaving behind many white skin remnants. The aphids are often located in large numbers on the underside of the leaves. Cotton aphids extract nutrients from the plant. This disrupts plant growth. After having toxic substances injected, the leaves may become discolored. Excess plant saps are excreted in the form of honeydew. This makes the plant and fruit sticky. Then, sooty dew fungus can grow on this honeydew which coats the plant and fruits. During nutrient ingestion, viruses can be transmitted to the plant, in particular the cucumber mosaic virus.

Biologic control of cotton aphids

Cotton aphid natural control can be done by using various natural enemies;

Chemical control of the cotton aphid

You can control cotton aphids (aphis gossypii)by biological and chemical methods. Options for natural enemies include parasitic wasps, gall midges, hover flies, ladybugs and lacewing larvae. Effective chemical plant protection products are broad acting insecticides such as Azatin, Batavia, Closer and Teppeki. Another alternative is Requiem Prime, which can be used in vegetable- and ornamental crop cultivations. 

Not all substances can be used in combination with the natural enemies. For information about side effects refer to the Agrobío Effects App.

In order to reduce or prevent cotton aphid damage in the crop, additional hygiene measures can also be taken. You can also choose to fit insect netting to the air vents. 

Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jan-Paul de Wit will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Also interesting for you

Cotton Aphid Control | Aphis gossypii 

Since the 1980s, the (Aphis gossypii) cotton aphid has caused much economic damage in various horticultural crops. This aphid can establish itself on more than 700 different plants, including the cucumber, bell pepper, strawberry and chrysanthemum. The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) prefers warmer regions, but is common worldwide. In the article you will read about biological and chemical control of cotton aphid.
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Jan-Paul de Wit, product specialist integrated pest management
Jan-Paul de Wit
Product specialist Crop Protection | May 2, 2023 | 3 min. reading time
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Cotton aphid
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Identify Cotton aphid 

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) is mostly found in the younger parts of plants; often on the underside of leaves and shoots. The cotton aphid can be winged or wingless. The wingless aphid has a stocky, round body shape of 0.9-1.8 mm in size. This size depends on temperature, food availability and population density. Its color varies from pale yellow to black-green. It also has red eyes and black siphuncles on its lower body (this is the most important distinguishing feature for identifying this aphid). 

The winged cotton aphid is on average slightly larger, has a black head and body and a yellow/dark green abdomen. The winged cotton aphid siphuncles are also black and short. 

For prompt detection of aphids, signaling rolls can be used. It is difficult to determine on sticky traps what aphid is involved but they do indicate the cotton aphid infestation. In doubt about the type of aphid? Then read our article on aphid control.

Lifecycle of the Cotton Aphid

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) can reproduce both sexually and asexually. The eggs can survive the winter and hatch in large numbers in the spring. Due to a mostly constant temperature in Dutch greenhouse horticulture, asexual reproduction prevails. The population then consists of females only. The females are viviparous. A female can produce three to ten offspring per day, which can make the development of a cotton aphid population be extremely fast. The nymphs start to feed on plant saps immediately after birth.

The development of nymphs takes six days at 28 °C and ten days at 16 °C (cultivation crop: cucumber). During the development of the aphid, it sheds its skin a total of 4 times. With each molt, the aphid leaves behind white skin remnants.  

Damage symptoms of cotton aphid

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) betrays its presence in crops by leaving behind many white skin remnants. The aphids are often located in large numbers on the underside of the leaves. Cotton aphids extract nutrients from the plant. This disrupts plant growth. After having toxic substances injected, the leaves may become discolored. Excess plant saps are excreted in the form of honeydew. This makes the plant and fruit sticky. Then, sooty dew fungus can grow on this honeydew which coats the plant and fruits. During nutrient ingestion, viruses can be transmitted to the plant, in particular the cucumber mosaic virus.

Biologic control of cotton aphids

Cotton aphid natural control can be done by using various natural enemies;

Chemical control of the cotton aphid

You can control cotton aphids (aphis gossypii)by biological and chemical methods. Options for natural enemies include parasitic wasps, gall midges, hover flies, ladybugs and lacewing larvae. Effective chemical plant protection products are broad acting insecticides such as Azatin, Batavia, Closer and Teppeki. Another alternative is Requiem Prime, which can be used in vegetable- and ornamental crop cultivations. 

Not all substances can be used in combination with the natural enemies. For information about side effects refer to the Agrobío Effects App.

In order to reduce or prevent cotton aphid damage in the crop, additional hygiene measures can also be taken. You can also choose to fit insect netting to the air vents. 

Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Jan-Paul de Wit will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Jan-Paul de Wit, product specialist Integrated Pest Management
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