Ericaphis ericae (Cross-leaved heath aphid) identification, images, ecology,

Adult apterae of Ericaphis ericae are green or brownish green with the tips of the antennae and legs black. It is a small species with a body length of 1.1-1.7 mm.

Ericaphis ericae (cross-leaved heath aphid) aptera on Erica tetralix (cross-leaved heath) at Dundreggan Estate, Inverness-shire on 14/7/15 at 13.22 h.

The hairs on the third antennal segment are conspicuous (although sadly not on our micrographs of Ericaphis ericae in alcoohol), the longest of these hairs are 0.6-1.0 times the basal diameter of that segment. The fused last two segments of the rostrum are 1.3 to 1.7 times longer than the second hind tarsal segment (see second micrograph below).

Micrograph Ericaphis ericae (cross-leaved heath aphid) aptera dorso-lateral view in alcohol

The first tarsal segments usually have three hairs. Ericaphis ericae siphunculi have a large flange at the end, clearly visible in the micrographs of clarified mounts of an aptera (below first) and an alate (abdomen, below second).

Micrograph clarified mount of Ericaphis ericae (cross-leaved heath aphid) aptera

Cross-leaved heath aphids live without host alternation on Erica species, especially cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix), feeding on flowers and shoot apices. Oviparae and apterous males are produced in September and October. Blackman (2010)) notes that Ericaphis ericae is often overlooked because of its small size and cryptic colouration. It is found in Britain and continental Europe, east to Poland and south to Spain and Portugal.

Other aphids on same host:

Ericaphis ericae is the only aphid known to feed on cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) - but has been recorded from 4 Erica species (Erica australis, Erica caffra, Erica gracilis, Erica tetralix).

Blackman & Eastop list 12 species of aphid as feeding on heaths (Erica species) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 9 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).

Acknowledgements

Our particular thanks to Roger Blackman for images of his clarified slide mounts.
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that identifications are correct, we cannot absolutely warranty their accuracy. We have mostly made identifications from high resolution photos of living specimens, along with host plant identity. In the great majority of cases, identifications have been confirmed by microscopic examination of preserved specimens. We have used the keys and species accounts of Blackman & Eastop (1994) and Blackman & Eastop (2006) supplemented with Blackman (1974), Stroyan (1977), Stroyan (1984), Blackman & Eastop (1984), Heie (1980-1995), Dixon & Thieme (2007) and Blackman (2010). We fully acknowledge these authors as the source for the (summarized) taxonomic information we have presented. Any errors in identification or information are ours alone, and we would be very grateful for any corrections. For assistance on the terms used for aphid morphology we suggest the figure provided by Blackman & Eastop (2006).

Useful weblinks

Ericaphis ericae

Cross-leaved heath aphid

Identification & Distribution:

Other aphids on same host:

Acknowledgements

Useful weblinks