running theme?

[urbpan]

Found lots of these guys in a head of Romaine. I don't know enough to tell if they are aphids or flies.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

you done had some maggots get laid in your lettuce

[http://users.livejournal.com/purplebunnie_/]

Although aphids can be green or black, I don't believe their wings are that long compared to their bodies. I'm not entirely sure they even have wings.

[badnoodles.livejournal.com]

Most of the time, aphids are wingless, reproducing parthenogenetically. (Basically, the entire population is female, and all offsprings are clones of the parent.) When a host plant gets too crowded, the colony begins to produce both male and female winged aphids that fly off to a new plant, reproduce sexually, and found a new colony.

And aphids come in colors from pale yellow to green to peachy-orange to blue to black, depending on the species.

[http://users.livejournal.com/purplebunnie_/]

I've only seen really pale yellow, green, and black varieties... but never with wings. Prolly because my Grandma bought lady bugs. I learned something new today. Thanks!

[badnoodles.livejournal.com]

It's lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribis-nigri in the alate (winged sexual) form.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Woooooooooooooo!!

I love having an entomologist on my friends list.

Thanks, R.

[badnoodles.livejournal.com]

Just doing my job, literally. Extension and outreach is a requirement for continued funding. But it's my favorite part of the job. :)

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

p.s. We would like some cookies.