aptera

Nerium oleander, Hungary, Budapest, 11.vi.2021 © László Érsek

aptera

alate larve

alate

Nerium oleander, France, Corsica, Belgodère, plage de Lozari © Stéphane Claerebout

lateral view

gall

aphids in large dense groups on the young shoots and along the midrib of the leaves. Aphids 2-3 mm, bright lemon yellow with dark antennae and feet, and black siphunculi and cauda.

hostplants

Apocynaceae, oligophagous

Asclepias curassavica, physocarpus, syriaca, tuberosa; Calotropis procera; Cynanchum acutum; Gomphocarpus fruticosus; Hoya carnosa; Marsdenia floribunda; Nerium oleander; Vinca; Vincetoxum.

Sometimes on representatives of other families Convolvulus arvensis.

In the Mediterranean region very common on oleander.

synonyms

Cerosipha, Myzus, nerii.

notes

Asclepiadaceae contain many toxic compounds, and part of them are ingested by the aphids (Rothschild ao). The strikingly bright colouration of the aphids therefore is interpreted as aposematic (Malcolm).

references

Barbagallo, Binazzi, Pennacchio & Pollini (2011a), Barbagallo & Massimino Cocuzza (2014a), Benia & Pujade-Villar (2014a), Blackman & Eastop (2014), Börner & Heinze (1957a), Cogolludo (1921a), González Funes & Michelena Saval (1988b), Hellrigl (2004a), Houard (1909a), Lampel & Meier (2007a), Malcolm (1986a), McAuslane (2014a), Mifsud, Mangion, Azzopardi ao (2011a), Nieto Nafría, Carnero Hernández & Mier Durante (1977a),, Nieto Nafría, Mier Durante, García Prieto & Pérez Hidalgo (2005a), Petrović (1998a), Piron (2009a, 2017a), Ripka, Reider & Szalay-Marzsó (1998a), Rothschild, van Euw & Reichstein (1970a), Seco & Mier (1986a), Suay Cano & González Funes (1998a), Tomasi (2012a, 2014a).