tags: - public-ready - export-bio - index
Mediterranean Mint Aphid
Overview
Mediterranean mint aphid is an aphid species associated primarily with mint and aromatic herb production systems.
It is increasingly relevant in:
- protected herb production
- mint cultivation
- hydroponic herbs
- glasshouse herbs
- culinary herb systems
Dense colonies may establish rapidly on soft aromatic growth under protected conditions.
Crop relevance
Important in:
- mint
- basil
- aromatic herbs
- protected herb systems
- hydroponic production
Herb crops are particularly sensitive because marketability depends heavily on visual quality and cleanliness.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
- clustered aphid colonies
- curled shoot tips
- sticky honeydew
- reduced shoot quality
- distorted soft growth
- contamination of harvestable herbs
Heavy infestations may rapidly reduce marketability.
Environmental drivers
Pressure often increases during:
- warm stable weather
- dense vegetative growth
- protected environments
- high nitrogen growth
- continuous harvesting systems
See: - Spring flush - Temperature - Plant stress
IPM considerations
Integrated Pest Management programmes should focus on:
- frequent crop inspection
- early hotspot detection
- preserving beneficial insects
- avoiding excessive soft growth
- maintaining airflow
- compatible biological control
Rapid crop turnover may help reduce persistence between cycles.
Biological control relevance
Useful biological control may include: