Agriculture

Did You Know One Insect Could Produce 600 billion aphids in one year?

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Aphids are small insects which reproduce rapidly. A female aphid can give birth to several daughters every day, without mating. Aphids can even “telescope” generations, giving birth to offspring which are already pregnant [1]. It is calculated that under optimal conditions a single aphid could produce 600 billion descendants in one year.


Aphids are pests which can feed on many different plant species and can transmit virus diseases to crops, rather like mosquitos transmitting malaria to people. Integrated pest management (IPM) helps avoid aphid infestations, crop damage and disease transmission, reducing the need to use insecticides.

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