Aphids generally can be recognized by their pear-like shape, a pair or cornicles at the posterior of their bodies and fairly long antennae. Aphids vary in color from green, yellow, red, purple, brown or black. The life history of many Aphids is complex and unusual. Enormous populations of Aphids can be built up in a short period of time. Although considerable variation occurs between species, a typical life history is described as follows.
Aphids generally overwinter as fertilized eggs.
With the approach of Spring weather, the eggs hatch into nymphs which rapidly mature into wingless females. Each of these Aphids is responsible for producing a large colony of Aphids and is referred to as a stem mother. Stem mothers produce female nymphs without mating. Successive wingless generations are produced until the Aphid colony becomes overcrowded. When overcrowding occurs, a generation of winged females is produced that will migrate to other host plants.