Russian Wheat Aphid vs Black-kneed Capsid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Russian Wheat Aphid | Black-kneed Capsid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diuraphis noxia | Blepharidopterus angulatus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Aphididae | Miridae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Worldwide cereal-growing regions | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Russian Wheat Aphid
A pale elongated aphid that causes leaf rolling and white streaking on wheat and barley. It injects toxins while feeding that are uniquely damaging to cereal crops.
Did You Know?
It caused over $1 billion in damage to U.S. wheat crops within just a few years of its arrival in 1986.
Black-kneed Capsid
A slender, pale green mirid bug with distinctive black knee joints. It is a beneficial predator found in European apple orchards where it feeds on red spider mites. It is one of the most important natural enemies of fruit tree red spider mite.
Did You Know?
A single individual can consume over 100 spider mites per day, making it so effective that some orchardists manage their spraying programs to conserve this natural predator.