Fall Aphid Outbreaks: Identification, Natural Control, and Sooty Mold

Massive aphid populations in fall often appear as "gnats" covering trees, limbs, and the ground. Likely culprits are green peach aphids or crapemyrtle aphids—olive green with two rear tubes under magnification. Beneficial insects (wasps, yellowjackets, beetles, spiders) feast on them. A strong water blast usually suffices for control. The black film on nearby surfaces is sooty mold growing on aphid honeydew; both disappear after the first hard frost.

crapemyrtle sooty mold

crapemyrtle aphids