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Kaltenbachiella pallidaElm-mint gall aphidOn this page: Identification & Distribution![]() ![]() Identification & DistributionThe gall of Kaltenbachiella pallida on elm is closed, more-or-less globular and covered in short fine hairs (see first picture below). It arises from the mid-rib of the upper surface of the leaf near its base (cf. Eriosoma lanuginosum
Both images above copyright Dr László Érsek, all rights reserved. The alatae migrate in summer to the roots of members of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Colonies of very small yellow-white Kaltenbachiella pallida, with a body length of 0.9-1.3 mm, develop on the roots among flocculent masses of white wax. Alatae appear in late-summmer to early-autumn and migrate back to elm, where eventually overwintering eggs are laid. Kaltenbachiella pallida occurs in Britain, throughout continental Europe and in north Africa, the Middle East, south-west and central Asia, west Siberia, China, and is reported also from Argentina. Biology & EcologyLife cycleThe gall of Kaltenbachiella pallida is shown below.
Image above copyright Dr László Érsek, all rights reserved. Immature aphids in the gall (see first picture below) are pale orange yellow. After one or two generations in the gall, these develop to alatae.
Image above copyright Dr László Érsek, all rights reserved. The alatae migrate in summer to the roots of mint (Mentha), marjoram (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus) and woundwort (Stachys). These give rise to colonies of very small orange apterous aphids on the roots which are covered with flocculent masses of white wax (see two pictures below).
Images above copyright Sharon Reid, all rights reserved. In late-summmer to early-autumn alatae appear and migrate to elm. Presumably gynoparae return first and produce oviparae, which then mate with winged males produced on the summer host - but we have been unable to find any information on this in the literature. Eventually overwintering eggs are laid. Other aphids on same host:Kaltenbachiella pallida has been recorded from 6 Ulmus species (Ulmus ×elegantissima, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor, Ulmus procera, Ulmus pumila). Blackman & Eastop list about 75 species of aphids
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