Aphids

If you have milkweeds growing in your garden or landscape, you have likely noticed an alarming abundance of oleander aphids this year. While plentiful in number, natural enemies have been doing a great job of keeping oleander aphid populations "in check".

In this mutualistic relationship, ants protect aphids from predators and in return, they harvest the honeydew excreted by aphids. This is similar to humans raising livestock, where care and protection are provided in exchange for resources. We saw these ants actively manage aphid populations, much like farmers manage their herds for optimal productivity.

Environmental conditions coupled with biological properties have conspired to make this “The Year of the Aphid” with honeydew spewed onto leaves, stems, sidewalks, cars, etc., across Ohio. There have been a number of BYGL Alerts posted thus far this season that have highlighted the unusually heavy aphid populations across a wide range of plants.

2023 is shaping up to be “The Year of the Aphid.” At least, in southwest Ohio. I’ve already posted BYGL Alerts on aphids titled, Sticky, Dripping European Beech, and Sticky, Dripping Oaks. This Alert will be the third in the “Sticky, Dripping” series.

The term "myrmecophile" means "ant lover." It's derived from the Greek "myrmex" = ant, and "phlos" = loving. Myremecophile refers to aphids that have a special relationship with ants.