Macrosiphum rosae
| Rose aphid | |
|---|---|
| |
| Macrosiphum rosaeon arosebud | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Sternorrhyncha |
| Family: | Aphididae |
| Genus: | Macrosiphum |
| Species: | M. rosae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Macrosiphum rosae | |
| Synonyms | |
Macrosiphum rosae,therose aphid,is a species of sap-suckingaphidsin the subfamilyAphidinae.[1][2]They have a world-wide distribution and infest rosebushes as the main host in spring and early summer, congregating on the tips of shoots and around new buds. Later in the summer, winged forms move to other rose bushes, or to a limited number of secondary hosts, before returning to rosebushes to lay eggs in the autumn.
Description
[edit]Wingless adults have a spindle-shaped body and are between 1.7 and 3.6 mm (0.07 and 0.14 in) long, slender, varying in colour from green to pink and reddish-brown. The antennae and legs are relatively long, and the cauda (tail-like protrusion) is pale. Thesiphunculi(pair of small backward-pointing tubes on the abdomen) are long, tapered and black, which distinguishes this aphid fromMetopolophium dirhodum,the rose-grain aphid, which has pale siphunculi.[3]Winged individuals are between 2.2 and 3.4 mm (0.09 and 0.13 in) in length, varying from green to pinkish-brown, and having distinctive black lateral markings.[3]
Life cycle
[edit]
This aphid mainlyoverwintersas eggs on roses, but in mild winters, some adults may survive until spring. The eggs hatch in spring into wingless females which reproduceparthenogenetically,and large colonies can quickly develop, being mainly found on the tips of shoots and around flower buds. The heaviest population densities are in June and July in the northern hemisphere, just when the bushes are flowering, and thereafter the populations decline. This is because at this time of year, some winged females develop, which migrate to other rose bushes or to certain secondary hosts such asholly,teasel,valerian,Knautiaandscabious.With the onset of autumn, winged males are also produced, the insects return to roses and the eggs are laid.[3][4]
Damage done
[edit]Rose aphids damage the aesthetic appearance of rosebushes by contorting the flowers and foliage, and by the stickyhoneydewthey produce, which often provides a surface on whichsooty mouldsdevelop.[3]
References
[edit]- ^"Macrosiphum rosae".Pherobase.Retrieved31 May2010.
- ^Bowers, W.S.; Nault, L.R.; Webb, R.E.; Dutky, S.R. (1972). "Aphid alarm pheromone: isolation, identification, synthesis".Science.177(4054): 1121–1122.doi:10.1126/science.177.4054.1121.PMID17840606.
- ^abcdAlford, David V. (2012).Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers.CRC Press. pp. 66–67.ISBN978-1-84076-628-8.
- ^Wöhrmann, K.; Löschcke, V. (2012).Population Biology and Evolution.Springer Science & Business Media. p. 208.ISBN978-3-642-69646-6.
External links
[edit]
Data related toRose aphidat Wikispecies
