Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
(Thomas) (
109
)
syn.
M. solanifolii
Ashmead
Potato aphid
A polyphagous North American species, first introduced
into Europe in about 1917 and now cosmopolitan.
Infestations occur commonly on ornamental plants,
including calla lily (
Zantedeschia aethiopica
), carnation
(
Dianthus caryophyllus
) and pink (
D. plumarius
),
Cineraria
, columbine (
Aquilegia vulgaris
),
Dahlia
,
Eucalyptus
,
Freesia
,
Gladiolus
, hollyhock (
Alcea
rosea
),
Iris
, pot marigold (
Calendula officinalis
), rose
(
Rosa
), snapdragon (
Antirrhinum
), sweet pea (
Lathyrus
odoratus
), tulip (
Tulipa
) and valerian (
Valeriana
).
Present throughout Europe.
antennae and legs; siphunculi very long, slender and
curved; cauda long and finger-shaped.
Alate:
1.7-3.4 mm long: similarly coloured to aptera but
antennae, head, thorax and siphunculi usually yellowish
brown.
Nymph:
long-bodied and pale, with a dark,
central, longitudinal stripe and a slight wax coating.
LIFE HISTORY
Although sometimes overwintering in the egg stage on
rose and related rosaceous hosts, most populations
survive parthenogenetically in protected situations as
adults or nymphs. Aphid numbers increase rapidly from
early spring onwards, and infestations readily spread to
other plants in May and June following the production
of winged forms. Attacks often develop on flower
stalks, and are most common in unheated greenhouses.
DESCRIPTION
Apterous female:
1.7-3.6 mm long; greyish green to
pink, and often shiny; spindle-shaped, with long
DAMAGE
Heavily infested plants become stunted and distorted.
The aphids are capable of transmitting certain plant
virus diseases, including freesia mosaic virus and pea
enation mosaic virus, but are not important vectors.
109
Macrosiphum rosae
(Linnaeus) (
110-111
)
Rose aphid
An important and often abundant pest of rose (
Rosa
).
Virtually cosmopolitan. Widely distributed in Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Apterous female:
1.7-3.6 mm long; green to pink or
reddish brown; spindle-shaped, with long antennae and
legs; siphunculi long, black (N.B. siphunculi are pale in
other rose-infesting species) and tapered; cauda pale
and elongate.
Alate:
2.2-3.4 mm long; green to pinkish
brown, distinctly marked with black along the sides of
the abdomen.
109
Colony of potato aphid (
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
) on
Calendula
.
110
111
110
Rose aphids (
Macrosiphum rosae
).
111
Colony of rose aphid (
Macrosiphum rosae
).
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