Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » Plant-parasitic Hemipterans (Sternorrhyncha) » Aphidoidea » Aphids (Aphididae) » Aphidinae » Aphidini » Aphidina » Aphis
Photo#65677
Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis
Copyright © 2006 Mardon Erbland

Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis
St. John's, Northeast Avalon, Newfoundland/Labrador, Canada
July 21, 2006
Size: ~1mm Bodies
This aphid colony was one of many that were attached to weeds growing along a city street.  Yesterday I photographed one colony with a Syrphid fly approaching it.  Today I've taken more close-ups of a couple of individuals from the colony with the hope of getting an ID on the type of aphid.  Is a genus and perhaps even a species asking too much? All of the aphid colonies in this area were being tended by black ants as seen in the Syphid Fly photos.

Images of this individual: tag all
Syrphid prey - Aphis Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis Aphid Colony - Genus/Species Possible? - Aphis Syrphid fly? - Aphis
Contributed by Mardon Erbland on 21 July, 2006 - 6:43pm
Last updated 27 December, 2010 - 9:11pm

Moved
Moved from Aphids.
… tom murray, 27 December, 2010 - 9:11pm

Moved
Moved from Aphids.
… Mardon Erbland, 6 June, 2007 - 6:34am

Aphid genus and species
Aphids are hard, and we don't have an aphid expert to help us. Many of them look so similar that you have to either have a specimen and a dissecting scope or know the host plant. If you can show the flowers and foliage of the plants, some of us with botanical backgrounds may be able to ID those.

The only species IDs we have are for distinctive ones like the Yellow Milkweed Aphid.
… Chuck Entz, 22 July, 2006 - 1:22pm

 
Meadowsweet Host Plant
I knew that knowing the host plant would be important, so I just this minute got back from a trip to the local botanical garden. I took a non-invested sample of the host plant with me and they quickely ID'd it as one of the Rosaceae, Meadowsweet, Spiraea latifolia (Ait.) Borkh. When I went to post this information, there was your message requesting it. Does this help? This photo shows some aphids that look similar to mine but none mention Meadowsweet as the host.
… Mardon Erbland, 22 July, 2006 - 1:54pm

 
I'm no expert
I'm sure it will be helpful when we do have someone who knows aphids. Meanwhile, I can't hold out much hope.
… Chuck Entz, 22 July, 2006 - 6:26pm

 
Asked For Extra Help...
I just sent an email to Dr. Robert G. Foottit, Ph.D.  He specializes in aphids and co-authored the paper, "Aphids of the Yukon".  I asked if he would look at my photos and see if he can suggest an ID.  I hope I hear from him.  Of course, I'll post here if I do.
… Mardon Erbland, 22 July, 2006 - 7:16pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo