even though it has wings it is an aphid. Aphid males and females (reproductives have wings). Normally, a female aphid (wingless form) gives 'birth' to clones of herself. She doesn't lay eggs, but live young come out of her. Because of this aphids are vivaporous. However, when food is scarce or it becomes overcrowded, some females (I think) will grow wings. They will then mate with a male and then the cycle continues.

Omar,

Thanks very much for identifying this for me and providing further info at the same time, I most certainly appreciate it.

Regards,

Sai

to the aphid section of the guide. We may even get a specific ID some time, especially since we know the host is a lily.

there is a little nymph under the adult. Just saw it now.

- I was just now wondering if the winged ones were always males, which one reference I saw recently seemed to imply, but it makes sense that the females ought to be able to grow wings, too, to relocate if necessary.

I just checked several online dictionaries of entomological terms for an explanation of the function of cornicles, but almost everyone just defines them as tubelike projections on the back of aphids. Finally I got this from Dictionary.com: "tubular organ[s] on the abdomen of an aphid, from which a waxy fluid is secreted as a pheromone when the insect is attacked." Then I found an article with a lot more details.

Interesting little creatures! Too bad they are so pesky!

.....Hannah, for following up on Omar's post with add'l info. I had a look at the article you had linked, and it was indeed quite interesting, particularly considering that all this is quite new to me. True what they say; you learn something new everyday! ;-)

Regards,

Sai

I didn't know what the function of a cornicle was. Now I do. Thanks to you Hannah.