Suzanne D. wrote:
I have heard of this, but am seeing it now on my young cucumber
plants. How devastatingly spectacular--big ants seemingly patrolling
the vines up and down while the sheltered aphids grow and thrive,
literally sucking the life out of my baby cucumbers.

I am currently on the lookout for a praying mantis to set out there,
but in the meantime, what can I do to stop this?
--S.

You can hose off the aphids, they are not clever/strong enough to climb back
on to the plants but this will probably not get them all.

You can spray with pyrethrum which is a fairly benign contact insecticide
that will get the aphids. Spray by moonlight (or torchlight) if possible.
Not because of the magical properties of moonlight but because the bees will
all be home in bed and the air is often more still at night which reduces
overspray.

Keep a close eye on susceptible plants as aphids can re-breed from a few
individuals back to troublesome numbers in a few days under favourable
conditions.

David