Aphid Host Plant Hub
Understanding Aphid Host Plants and Reservoir Hosts
Many aphid infestations do not begin on the crop itself. Instead, aphids often originate from nearby weeds, trees, hedgerows, wildflowers and alternative crop hosts before migrating into commercial production areas.
Understanding aphid host plants can help growers identify potential sources of infestation, improve monitoring programmes and make better biological control decisions.
Some aphid species utilise a single host throughout their life cycle, while others migrate between primary and secondary hosts during different seasons.
For general aphid biology, identification and management, see the Aphids page.
Primary Hosts vs Secondary Hosts
Primary hosts are the plants where aphids often overwinter and reproduce sexually.
Secondary hosts are the plants used during spring and summer, often including commercial crops.
Many economically important aphids migrate from outdoor hosts into protected crops during spring and summer.
Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae)
Main Crop Hosts
- Sweet pepper
- Chilli pepper
- Aubergine
- Lettuce
- Herbs
- Strawberry
- Ornamentals
- Brassicas
Reservoir Hosts
- Peach
- Cherry plum
- Black nightshade
- Fat hen
- Chickweed
- Wild brassicas
Related Pages
Cotton Aphid (Aphis gossypii)
Main Crop Hosts
- Cucumber
- Melon
- Courgette
- Sweet pepper
- Aubergine
- Ornamentals
Reservoir Hosts
- Mallow species
- Hibiscus
- Shepherd's purse
- Cucurbit weeds
Related Pages
Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae)
Main Crop Hosts
- Potato
- Tomato
- Sweet pepper
- Ornamentals
- Herbs
Reservoir Hosts
- Rosebay willowherb
- Volunteer potatoes
- Roses
Related Pages
Glasshouse Potato Aphid (Aulacorthum solani)
Main Crop Hosts
- Strawberry
- Lettuce
- Herbs
- Ornamentals
- Bedding plants
Reservoir Hosts
- Foxglove
- Willowherb
- Speedwell
- Docks
Related Pages
Black Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae)
Main Crop Hosts
- French bean
- Beetroot
- Spinach
- Ornamentals
Reservoir Hosts
- Euonymus
- Spindle
- Fat hen
- Docks
- Nettles
Related Pages
Rose Aphid (Macrosiphum rosae)
Main Crop Hosts
- Roses
- Ornamental nursery stock
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Woolly Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
- Hawthorn
- Wild apple relatives
Related Pages
Root Aphids
Main Crop Hosts
- Lettuce
- Strawberry
- Herbs
- Ornamentals
- Nursery stock
Reservoir Hosts
- Grasses
- Weeds
- Volunteer crop plants
Related Pages
Strawberry Aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Large Raspberry Aphid (Amphorophora idaei)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Cherry Blackfly (Myzus cerasi)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Shallot Aphid (Myzus ascalonicus)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
- Numerous weeds
- Ornamental hosts
Related Pages
Blueberry Aphid (Ericaphis scammelli)
Main Crop Hosts
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Foeniculum Aphid (Hyadaphis foeniculi)
Main Crop Hosts
- Fennel
- Dill
- Coriander
- Parsley
Reservoir Hosts
- Wild umbellifers
Related Pages
Phorodon Cannabis Aphid (Phorodon cannabis)
Main Crop Hosts
- Cannabis
- Hemp
Reservoir Hosts
- Wild and cultivated hemp relatives
Related Pages
Mediterranean Mint Aphid (Eucarazzia elegans)
Main Crop Hosts
- Mint
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Other Lamiaceae herbs
Reservoir Hosts
Related Pages
Common Aphid Reservoir Plants Around UK Nurseries
The following plants frequently act as reservoirs for aphid populations:
- Chickweed (Stellaria media)
- Fat Hen (Chenopodium album)
- Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
- Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
- Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium)
- Nettles (Urtica dioica)
- Docks (Rumex spp.)
- Sow-thistles (Sonchus spp.)
- Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
- Wild Brassicas
- Charlock (Sinapis arvensis)
- Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Wild Raspberry and Bramble (Rubus spp.)
- Wild Roses (Rosa spp.)
Seasonal Aphid Risk Calendar
| Period | Typical Activity |
|---|---|
| February–March | First spring activity begins on primary hosts |
| April–May | Major migration period into crops and protected structures |
| June–July | Peak population growth and virus transmission risk |
| August–September | Continued migration between crops and reservoir hosts |
| October–November | Outdoor populations decline but protected crop infestations may persist |
Practical IPM Recommendations
- Maintain good weed control around nurseries and production sites.
- Monitor known reservoir hosts throughout the season.
- Inspect vents, doors and perimeter crops for incoming winged aphids.
- Use sticky traps to detect migration events.
- Introduce biological controls before colonies become established.
- Consider surrounding vegetation when investigating recurring aphid problems.
- Remove volunteer crop plants that may act as bridges between seasons.