Contents
There are many types of aphids. Cucumbers are attacked by melon aphids. The pest is very aggressive, capable of producing up to 20 generations per season, which can leave the summer resident without a crop.
Melon aphid is equally dangerous for both open ground and greenhouse cucumbers.
What is aphid
Melon aphid – small sucking insects ranging in size from 1,5 to 2,1 mm, light yellow, green or brown. The process of reproduction of aphids is rapid: about 2 weeks pass from the birth of a larva to the appearance of a young individual. The colony is growing very fast. In it, along with adult insects, you can see translucent larvae. Among the females, you can see winged individuals that easily migrate to other plants.
Although without winged females, aphids easily move from plant to plant – with the help of garden ants that feed on the pest’s sweet secretions. Ants take care of aphids not only in summer, but also shelter them in their anthills for the winter.
Therefore, it is important to combine the process of fighting aphids with getting rid of garden ants (1).
What is dangerous aphids on cucumbers
If protective measures are not taken, aphids can kill cucumbers. By sucking out the juices, insects weaken the plant, slow down growth, because respiration and photosynthesis are disturbed due to the sweet coating. Damaged leaves gradually begin to die off, the flowers crumble, the ovaries become smaller.
Punctures on the leaves and sticky coating create conditions for the development of fungal diseases. Adult aphids can carry up to 50 types of bacterial and viral diseases from plant to plant!
Signs of aphids on cucumbers
It used to be thought that aphids appear on cucumbers in the second half of summer, but the first individuals have recently appeared in greenhouses already at the beginning of summer, and in open ground with the onset of stable heat.
The first signs are twisted edges of the leaves and deformation of the tops of the shoots, a sticky coating, in some cases the ovaries dry out. Having unfolded the sheet, on the reverse side you can see a cluster of greenish or black insects.
Causes of aphids on cucumbers
The most important reason for the appearance of aphids on cucumbers can be considered the presence of ant colonies in the garden and vegetable garden. It is they who protect pests not only in summer, but also in winter, providing her with warm places in anthills. Ants are able to transfer aphids from one plant to another.
Aphids develop rapidly in gardens and orchards where crop rotation is not observed, plant residues are not removed in a timely manner and weeds are not shed, the basic rules of agricultural technology are violated – thickened crops and excess nitrogen in the soil contribute to the reproduction of aphids.
How to process aphids on cucumbers
Effective protection against aphids allows you to get a stable high yield of greens. However, it is worth considering the peculiarity of this crop – early maturity and the need to harvest 2 – 3 times a week. Therefore, 4 methods are used to protect cucumbers from aphids.
Mechanical method. It is effective with a small number of pests. Plants are inspected daily and aphids are crushed by hand. Dusting with sifted ash is also used, after laying fabric or paper under the plants. To collect and destroy crumbled pests.
Folk remedies. They are used during the period of fruit setting and growth, using infusions and decoctions of herbs with insecticidal properties, soap, ash infusions, etc.
Chemical and biological methods of protection. Effective options, but the use of such products on cucumbers is extremely limited (2).
Aphids on cucumbers in the open field
Aphids multiply rapidly in open ground, harming cucumbers, inhibiting their growth and provoking fungal and viral diseases. This activity is due to the fact that a large amount of nitrogen-rich organic matter is used to grow cucumbers, and young shoots are tender and juicy.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that at the initial stage of development, cucumbers are often covered with non-woven materials or film to maintain the optimum temperature. And this also contributes to the development of aphids.
It is important not to miss the moment when aphids appear on cucumbers and take measures to destroy them.
If the first individuals of aphids can simply be crushed with your fingers, then more drastic measures will have to be used.
Folk methods
At the initial stage of infection of aphids cucumbers, it is most reasonable to use folk remedies. They are safe for humans, beneficial insects and microorganisms, do not accumulate in fruits. However, they must be applied regularly, spraying the plant every 7 days.
Soap solution. Grind a piece of tar or laundry soap, dissolve in 5 liters of hot water. Before spraying, 1 cup of wood ash can be added to the solution.
Ash infusion. Infuse 1 kg of ash for a day in 10 liters of water, then add 2-3 tbsp. spoons of grated laundry soap. Apply 2 days in a row.
Onion infusion. Pour 1/2 bucket of onion peel with hot water and leave for a day. Strain, bring to a volume of 10 liters and water through a fine sieve both the plants themselves and the soil under them.
Tobacco dust and Tabazol. Dusting plants with tobacco and tobacco-ash dust repels aphids and ants.
Preparations
Today, 3 types of insecticidal preparations are used against aphids: biological, contact and systemic. However, on cucumbers it is recommended to use the most gentle means that are safe for humans and the environment.
biological insecticides. Their value is in a high degree of safety for humans, animals and bees. They do not accumulate in leaves and fruits, they can be used even during flowering. Not addictive in insects.
But it is important to know that the effectiveness of biological products is manifested at air temperatures above 20 ° C. And be sure to follow the dosage and safety measures.
When cucumbers are treated with bioinsecticides, the death of aphids occurs after 4 to 72 hours.
For the treatment of cucumbers, enteric-contact type bioinsecticides can be recommended: Fitoverm, Akarin and Iskra-Bio (3).
contact insecticides. Upon contact with aphids, they cause her instant death. But if you do not follow the safety rules, the solutions can harm bees, fish and animals. They are addictive to pests. You can apply them only before the flowering of cucumbers.
For the treatment of plants from this group, we can recommend Actellik, Inta-Vir, Iskra Double effect (3).
Aphids on cucumbers in a greenhouse
In greenhouse conditions, aphids develop faster than in open ground, due to comfortable conditions. Although, in fairness, it is worth saying that an experienced gardener knows how to completely protect the greenhouse from pests – fumigation in the spring and after planting seedlings with tobacco smoke, mosquito nets on the windows and doors, and the destruction of ants.
It is easier to control the aphid population in the greenhouse than in the open field. It is important not to miss the appearance of aphids in the initial stage. Then it will be possible to limit the mechanical collection and destruction of the pest and simple safe plant protection products.
Folk methods
In the initial stage of aphid colonization, it is sufficient to use simple soap and ash solutions, as for open ground.
A complex infusion of garlic and soap gives a good effect: chop the head of garlic together with herbs, pour 1 liter of warm water, leave for 2-3 hours, then strain. Add 1 teaspoon of tar soap solution (dissolve 1 teaspoon of grated soap in 100 ml of hot water). Spray on both sides so that the leaves are completely wetted.
Such an infusion is also popular among gardeners: pour 100 g of dry orange peels into 1 liter of hot water, leave for a day, strain.
Preparations
In a greenhouse, the most reasonable way to control aphids is with bioinsecticides. At temperatures above 18 ° C, it is recommended to spray cucumbers with Fitoverm or Lepidocide 2-3 times with an interval of 10-14 days, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
biological insecticides. Their value is in a high degree of safety for humans, animals and bees. They do not accumulate in leaves and fruits, they can be used even during flowering. Not addictive in insects.
But it is important to know that the effectiveness of biological products is manifested at air temperatures above 20 ° C. And be sure to follow the dosage and safety measures.
When cucumbers are treated with bioinsecticides, the death of aphids occurs after 4 to 72 hours.
For the treatment of cucumbers, enteric-contact type bioinsecticides can be recommended: Fitoverm, Akarin and Iskra-Bio (3).
contact insecticides. Upon contact with aphids, they cause her instant death. But if you do not follow the safety rules, the solutions can harm bees, fish and animals. They are addictive to pests. You can apply them only before the flowering of cucumbers.
For the treatment of plants from this group, we can recommend Actellik, Inta-Vir, Iskra Double effect (3).
Systemic insecticides. They are considered the most effective pesticides, as they accumulate in the plant and cause paralysis of pests during their feeding. But they belong to a high class of danger to humans, animals and bees. Not addictive. They require strict adherence to safety rules. Therefore, they can be used on cucumbers only with a mass settlement of aphids and at the very beginning of plant development.
Prevention of cucumbers from aphid infestation
Preventing cucumbers from infestation by aphids begins with the right choice of location in accordance with the requirements of the crop rotation. In a greenhouse, it is important to treat all surfaces with insecticides. Strictly according to the instructions, use nitrogen fertilizers, use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and wood ash for top dressing.
Timely destroy garden ants. When pests appear, immediately take measures to destroy them. For prevention, use repellent solutions and infusions. Use clean tools when working with cucumbers.
Popular questions and answers
We asked about aphids on cucumbers agronomist Oleg Ispolatov – he answered the most popular questions of summer residents.
How effective are folk remedies for aphids on cucumbers?
With a strong infestation of aphids, folk remedies should be applied up to 3 times a week, carefully spraying the leaves until wet on both sides.
Will ammonia help with aphids on cucumbers?
However, in rich soils, ammonia acts as a strong nitrogen fertilizer, which provokes the growth of young shoots. And they are vulnerable to aphids.
Will soap help with aphids on cucumbers?
The most effective solutions are solid laundry and tar soap. Spraying with Potassium Green Soap Insecticide gives good results.
Will vinegar help with aphids on cucumbers?
To spray cucumbers, make a solution of 1 teaspoon of table vinegar per 1 liter of water.
Sources of
- Grebenshchikov S.K. Reference manual for plant protection for gardeners and gardeners (2nd edition, revised and additional) // M .: Rosagropromizdat, 1991
- Pankratova A.B. Cucumbers. Growing in the ground, greenhouse, on the windowsill // Voronezh, Publishing house “Socium”, 2012
- State catalog of pesticides and agrochemicals permitted for use on the territory of the Federation as of July 6, 2021 // Ministry of Agriculture of the Federation
https://mcx.gov.ru/ministry/departments/departament-rastenievodstva-mekhanizatsii-khimizatsii-i-zashchity-rasteniy/industry-information/info-gosudarstvennaya-usluga-po-gosudarstvennoy-registratsii-pestitsidov-i-agrokhimikatov/