Metopolophium dirhodum
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Author(s): Andrew Jensen
Source: BugGuide
Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker, 1849) - (rose-grain aphid)
The aphid is common in temperate and subtropical regions. Rosa species are the primary hosts. The aphid moves to wheat, barley, maize and other cereals in spring. It typically feeds on the underside of the young leaves, along the veins. High populations (more than 200 aphids per plant) can cause economic damage in term of yellowing, deformations and yield losses. M. dirhodum is also a vector of several plant viruses, e.g. Barley yellow dwarf viruses is transmitted in a persistent manner.
On cereals, wingless females reproduce parthenogenetically, giving birth to live nymphs. There are 4 nymphal instars and development of one generation can be as short as 2-3 weeks. In autumn, winged males and females develop which migrate to roses, mate and lay eggs. These overwinter and form the first generation in spring.
Some resistant cereal cultivars have been identified and delayed planting to avoid the first flight in spring are management options. Insecticides need to be applied with caution since parasitoids and predators are very important for regulation the populations of this species.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | bleiche Getreidelaus |
| • English: | rose-grain aphid |
| • Español: | pulgón de la cebada |
| • Français: | puceron des céréales et du rosier |
| • Português: | pulgão-verde-pálido-da-folha-do-trigo |
The wingless female is about 2-2½ mm long, yellowish green with a darker green, dorsal longitudinal stripe. Tip of tibiae and the tarsi are dark. The antennae are longer than the body. In the winged adult head and part of the thorax are brown
Synonyms:
Acyrthosiphon dirhodum
- Other images of apterous vivipara of Metopolophium dirhodum (PaDIL - click to enlarge)
head
rostrum
base of antenna
tip of antenna
tip of abdomen
cauda
genital plate
hind tarsus
