Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
126
127
126
Lime leaf aphid (
Eucallipterus tiliae
).
127
Nymphs of lime leaf aphid (
Eucallipterus tiliae
).
129
128
128
Silver birch aphid (
Euceraphis betulae
).
129
Nymph of silver birch aphid (
Euceraphis betulae
).
Eucallipterus tiliae
(Linnaeus) (
126-127
)
Lime leaf aphid
An abundant and widely distributed pest of lime (
Tilia
),
but of importance mainly as a producer of
contaminating honeydew. Present throughout Europe;
also occurs in Central Asia, New Zealand and
North America.
LIFE HISTORY
Eggs laid on lime trees in the autumn hatch in the
following spring. Colonies of winged aphids then build
up on the new shoots and expanding foliage. Such
progeny readily spread infestations from tree to tree
throughout the spring and early summer. Reproduction
slows down in mid-summer but picks up with the
initiation of sexual forms in the early autumn.
DESCRIPTION
Alate female:
1.8-3.0 mm long; black and yellow;
wing veins dusky-bordered; siphunculi dark and
stumpy; cauda rounded and bearing a small, pigmented,
dorsal tubercle.
Nymph:
greenish yellow, marked with
several blackish platelets.
DAMAGE
Infestations have little direct effect on tree growth.
However, the vast quantities of honeydew produced by
this species are commonly a nuisance, regularly
contaminating cars, garden furniture, pavements and
plants beneath infested trees; such contamination is
most significant in dry weather. Sooty moulds
developing on the honeydew is also a problem.
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