In article ,
says...
Mary Fisher wrote:
I don't grow lupins because of the huge blue aphids which infested them when
I did.

There was a question on GQT about this yesterday. Someone said that they
were big enough to barbecue - as kebabs.

It amused me.

Mary



Yes, there seems to be all sizes from tiny to Godzilla. I'm surprised
the plant was still alive considering the amount of them sucking it's
sap. It was wilting and looked really poorly yesterday. Today it has
perked up and looking happy again.

I noticed the aphids had a bluish tinge about them so wasn't 100% sure
if they were aphids or blackfly. Are they a specific species that preys
on lupins?


Yes, Lupin aphids is what they are called! they came over from america in
the 1980 and took hold in Cornwall because of the quantity of Tree lupins
(they used to use them to stabilise the china clap waste tips) they
quickly spread all over europe and unlike all the other aphids seem to
actually kill the plant
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea