Mustard Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi )

The mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) is a serious pest of mustard in India and other tropical regions in the world. The population dynamics of this species is considerably influenced by immigrant alate, which migrate to the mustard crop from the off-season shelter. Aphids reproduce at a higher rate in the early vegetative stage of mustard plants, when the developmental period is shortest and production of winged morphs is lowest.

Taxonomy Identification

  • Mustard aphid is small, globular, pear, shaped, delicate insect with soft and fragile body.
  • Adult aphid is found in two forms i.e. winged (alate) wingless (delate).
  • Wingless adult aphid is varying in colour mostly green or pale green and 2mm long in size.
  • Winged form is transperant homogenous wings and yellowish abdomen.
  • Young ones (nymphs) are like wingless forms but smaller in size.
  • Two tubular structures (cornicles or siphunculi) present on the posterior region of the body.
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