Aphids are of the Aphididae family.

Aphids are soft bodied and small insects that suck on plants juices. The young are white and the adults are a light colored green.

Aphids feed in dense groups on leaves or stems and they don't often fly away when the branch is disturbed. Adults are about 1/8" inch or less in length and are pear shaped with long legs and antennae. They are the following colors: green, yellow, white, brown, red, and black. The Woody Aphid species are covered in a white to a grayish waxy coat, adults are winged or wingless. A pair of tube like projections near the back of the body distinguishes most Aphids from other insects. During the warm months Aphids can go through a complete generation in less than two weeks.

Aphids feed in high numbers and can slow the growth of the plant or cause leaves to yellow, curl, or drop early. Some species distort stems or fruit or cause galls in roots, stems, or leaves.

Aphids are important pests of many annual crops because they transmit some viruses that cause plant diseases, although usually not the problem in landscape trees and shrubs. The most bothersome aspect of the aphid in landscape is the honeydew they produce. Honeydew is sugary water excreted by many homopterans that ingest sap. It is harmless to plants.

They can be controlled by several chemicals-- check with your local pest control applicator. You can also control them organically by using lady bugs (the red and/or gray lady bug) and some dirt wasps.