Root Aphid

Soil-dwelling aphids feeding on roots causing wilting, yellowing and poor nutrient uptake.

Root aphids are sap-feeding insects that colonise roots and the surrounding growing medium. Infestations can cause stunting, yellowing, wilting and reduced plant vigour, although these symptoms can also result from other root problems. Confirm the pest's identity through root inspection before deciding on control measures. Established infestations can be difficult to manage biologically because the aphids are protected within the root zone. Entomopathogenic fungi and soil-dwelling predators have been investigated, but their effectiveness varies and they should not be treated as dependable standalone controls. Conventional foliar aphid predators are generally unsuitable for controlling colonies below the growing medium surface. Management should prioritise clean planting material, inspection of incoming plants, isolation of affected stock, hygiene, removal of heavily infested plants where appropriate and prevention of spread through contaminated growing media or equipment.