Apple Grain Aphid
Rhopalosiphum fitchii (Sanderson)

Life Cycle: Overwinter as shiny black eggs on host. Eggs hatch at blossom time and several generations are produced before winged forms move to grasses and grains in late spring. Adult aphids return to trees in the fall to lay overwintering eggs.

Monitoring: Inspect curled leaves in spring.

Hosts: Apple, pear, hawthorn, quince, plum, choke cherry.

Comments: The apple grain aphid is pale green with a darker green stripe down the back and tan legs; the green apple aphid is uniform bright green with black legs. Apple grain aphids are present early in the spring and attract predators that will control more damaging aphid species later in the growing season.

Body length: Adult - 2.0mm; Mature nymph - 1.8mm