The former is the most important host. Just as I began grad school in 1990 I was beginning to suspect that the story was more complex. This is a large, common aphid on Vaccinium species across northwestern North America. Most general-use insecticides, including the "rose systemics" (Disyston), are usually effective. An alternative hypothesis, that this aphid is native to Australia or another place where Pittosporum grows naturally, cannot be entirely discounted, however. Weed Links In early spring they migrate to potatoes, which are the summer host. Dilute sprays of insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils are also effective. So, I think much work is yet needed on material that would key to M. walkeri. Res. Others may be tinted with more pink. At 22.5ºC it completes a generation in about one week, produces ca 35 progeny and lives almost three weeks. Back in 2000 I wrote about M. wilsoni, “This species has a simple monoecious holocyclic life cycle on species of Disporum. Chan. IPM for Turfgrasses In greenhouses, reproduction takes place by parthenogenesis, with unfertilized viviparous females … Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. Another obscure and uncommon species I discovered in McDonald State Forest in Oregon during my Ph.D. thesis work. Genet. Being ant-tended, it is very unusual for its genus. Personal observation makes it clear that this plantbegins its growing season early in the spring, and is highly drought tolerant through the summer and fall. Praon volucre Soc. Although I have collected this aphid from only New Mexico, Oregon, and North Dakota (a sample from the latter state was secured while this manuscript was in review), it likely occurs where L. lewisii is found in similar habitats in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Washington. By clicking “I Accept”, you agree to be bound by our Privacy Statement and to the use of cookies. I have not collected confirmed fundatrices of this aphid, the only possible specimens being these on 3 June 2016. The interactions between ant and aphid have inspired the name “ant cattle” for aphids. Holodiscus discolor is also the primary host of M. pteridis (see below, under that species). P. Kindlmann and A.F.G. W.T. This aphid is a source of embarrassment for me because it is one Macrosiphum species whose full host plant biology has eluded me for my whole aphid research career. Jensen, A.S. 2012. Several specimens were collected during the fall of 1991, including some oviparae and males. Rose aphid Macrosiphum rosae (L.) Since then I finished a Ph.D. studying this group, and published 19 new species (so far, more to come). Almost everyone who has a garden, or knows somebody with a garden, or walks by other people’s gardens, knows about rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae. I described this species in 2000 and since have had a little remorse about the decision — I am not sure how many species we have in northwestern North America on the big forest lilies. Rose aphid apparently restricts feeding to rose through out the year. The reason? This fresh growth is often on the water sprouts around the edges of the plant patch. It is possible that egg hatch occurs over a protracted period in this species, perhaps due to its montane habitat, and it is also possible that the fundatrices collected in July were simply long-lived and intermingled with their daughters and granddaughters on the plants.”. Res. I covered this species in my 2000 paper, as follows, “The description and figures by Essig (1942) are adequate. Throughout the summer this species is uncommon, a situation that leads to very few return migrants in the fall. It is not known if these reproduced successfully, or if any resulting fundatrices were able to survive on Pteridium. It seems to me that Macrosiphum has recently diversified in the West, leaving biologically distinct species very similar in morphology. Alatae migrate readily from their home plant upon emergence. The only other western North American Macrosiphum that is usually ant-tended is Macrosiphum rhamni (Clarke) when it is feeding on its secondary host, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. This is a really fabulous aphid, probably a close relative of M. albifrons. Pruning prior to bud break can remove many of the eggs that overwinter on canes. High Plains IPMHPIPM Reproduction begins again in September, usually on the lower or most yellow leaves. Aphids feed on the undersurface of the leaves or among the bases of the leaves near the ground.”. Piper. Potato aphid disperses to a wide variety of herbaceous plant hosts in summer. I know I say it all the time, but this aphid is truly my favorite. Sexuales are produced in September and October. 47: 253–259, PubMed  This is the only species of Macrosiphum known to us that is tended by ants. Its short cauda has lead me to speculate that it may utilize the lower parts or underground parts of a secondary host. This common species is one of the biggest and spindliest aphids I know. I published the results with a distinguished co-author, Jaroslav Holman, in 2000. Macrosiphum claytoniae is known only from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It is likely that the sexuales of M. glawatz develop on these late summer rosette leaves but searching for them is challenging in part due to heavy cattle grazing and trampling that decimates M. glawatz habitat every summer. My interpretation of its biology is that it establishes in forests and grows only vegetatively until an opening in the forest canopy from tree fall allows adequate light for it to bloom. Jensen, A.S. and J. Rorabaugh. It has been collected mostly in the mountainous areas of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana, but also near sea level in the Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia metro areas.Host plants so far recorded for M. opportunisticum include: Altingiaceae – Liquidambar styraciflua L.; Caprifoliaceae – Symphoricarpos sp. The life cycle of P. gracilis is similar to the hosts of two other recently described Macrosiphum species from similar habitats, Macrosiphum dewsler Jensen onLinum lewisii Pursh and Macrosiphum garyreed Jensen on Geum triflorum Pursh (Jensen 2017), in that it overwinters as a basal rosette and begins growing in early spring, flowers during the summer, and then survives the late summer drought as a basal rosette with very small leaves. For more information, please see our, By signing up for our newsletter, you accept our, Click here for all locations and suppliers. Agronomic and Vegetable Crops [3][4], Rose aphids damage the aesthetic appearance of rosebushes by contorting the flowers and foliage, and by the sticky honeydew they produce, which often provides a surface on which sooty moulds develop. InPopulation biology and evolution (eds.) The most common of the species is closely related both morphologically and ecologically to the Macrosiphum found on Cornus (dogwood) that is elsewhere thought to be M. hamiltoni (an idea I disagree with). Absence of variation within parthenogenetic aphid clones.Theor. This is what I wrote about the species back then, “This species is monoecious holocyclic on its host Spiraea douglasii Hook. 100: 631–640, Tomiuk J and Wöhrmann K 1982 Comments on the genetic stability of aphid clones.Experientia 38: 320–321, Tomiuk J and Wöhrmann K 1983 Enzyme polymorphism and taxonomy of aphid species.Z. Based on 30 years of collecting, it is clear to me that there are at least two species of Macrosiphum using Salix as host. Google Scholar, Blackman R L 1972 The inheritance of life-cycle differences inMyzus persicae. They have complicated and varied life cycles including the capability of assuming different bodily forms, or polymorphism; parthenogenesis, development from unfertilized eggs; viviparity, the ability to bear live young; and both winged and wingless generations. Host plant alternation in two fern-feeding Sitobion Mordvilko.