Red Goldenrod Aphids

Red Goldenrod Aphids (Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum) are taking over a patch of false sunflowers in the Native Plant Garden. These tiny insects are red with black antennae, legs and siphunculi, much different from the more well-known green and yellow aphids of the same family. As their name suggests, red goldenrod aphids primarily feed on the plant sap of goldenrod species across eastern North America, but will also stray to native species of sunflowers, asters, primroses, and introduced chrysanthemums.

Photo by Laura Berry.