Strawberry root aphid
Development of the problem - In the late fall, winged adult aphids fly into strawberry fruiting fields where they come to rest on strawberry leaves. Winged adults produce female young that usually produce young without mating. The aphid life cycle is completed within a few days in warm weather; thus numbers of aphids can increase quickly. Under the cultural conditions of strawberries is Florida, the strawberry root aphid develops on leaves. It ingests plant juices, and can devitalize the plant when present in large numbers. This aphid is found in low numbers every year on strawberries grown without pesticides in the Plant City area; it is rarely an important pest.
Control - Scout fields weekly and apply recommended insecticides when populations warrant. Insecticides applied to control other insects usually control the strawberry root aphid.