Aphids on carrot
The willow-carrot aphid (Cavariella aegopodii) and other species feed on the foliage and in the heart of the plant. Besides sucking sap they transmit viruses, among them carrot red leaf virus.
Symptom photos
Symptoms
- Clusters of small green aphids on the young leaves
- The youngest leaflets curling and distorting
- The heart of the plant dwarfed and deformed
- Sticky honeydew on the foliage and black sooty mold
- Yellow discoloration and reddening of the leaves where virus is present
What it does to the crop
- Growth checked and smaller roots
- Transmission of carrot yellows and mosaic viruses
- Roots deformed and forked in a heavy attack
- Plants weakened ahead of attack by other pests
What encourages it
- Warm, still weather from May to July
- Willows nearby, where the aphid overwinters
- Too much nitrogen
- No beneficial insects around the crop
Prevention
- Inspect the heart of the plants and young leaves from May
- Cover young plants with fleece
- Sow nectar plants for hoverflies and ladybirds
- Avoid planting carrots right next to willows
- Keep nitrogen feeding moderate
⚠️ Before you reach for a spray
This atlas is informational and still growing — different diseases can look almost identical. Confirm the diagnosis and read the product label before applying any plant protection product. If you are unsure, ask your local extension or advisory service.
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