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Calaphidinae : Calaphidini : Euceraphis papyrifericola
 

 

Euceraphis papyrifericola

Paper birch aphid

On this page: Identification & Distribution Other aphids on the same host

Identification & Distribution

All adult viviparae of Euceraphis papyrifericola are alate. Immatures (see first picture below) are green with dusky siphunculi. Adult alatae (see second picture below) have a light brown thorax and a pale green abdomen, and are frequently covered with bluish-white wax which may form tranverse segmental bands on the dorsal abdomen. In spring and summer they usually have no dorsal abdominal pigmentation, but in autumn the sexuparae often have dark sclerites in the centre of tergites IV & V. Discrimination from other Euceraphis species depends on antennal characteristics. The base of antennal segment VI has only 1 hair (cf. Euceraphis lineata, Euceraphis mucida & Euceraphis quednaui, all of which usually have more than 1 (2-12) hairs on that segment). The second hind tarsal segment (HTII) is usually 0.7-1.28 times the length of antennal segment I, and usually shorter (0.7-1.1 times) than the terminal process (cf. Euceraphis betulae & Euceraphis punctipennis, both of which usually have HTII 1.24-1.75 times the length of antennal segment I, and usually longer (0.9-2.3 times) than the terminal process.) The siphunculi and cauda are both pale.

Note: Euceraphis papyrifericola is very similar to, and closely related to, the Japanese species Euceraphis betulijaponica, and it could be regarded as a subspecies thereof.

Images above by permission, copyright Claude Pilon, all rights reserved.

The main host of Euceraphis papyrifericola is paper birch (Betula papyrifera), but it may also be found on gray birch (Betula populifolia) and mountain paper birch (Betula cordifolia). The paper birch aphid feeds on the undersides of leaves (and small twigs?) and, like other Euceraphis, is very active. Sexuales - oviparae and males - occur in late August to October. Euceraphis papyrifericola is found in north-east USA and across Canada.

 

Other aphids on the same host

Euceraphis papyrifericola has been recorded from 3 birch species (Betula cordifolia, Betula papyrifera, Betula populifolia).

Acknowledgements

We are especially grateful to Claude Pilon for pictures of Euceraphis papyrifericola.

We have made provisional 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), Blackman & de Boise (2002) and Blackman & Eastop (2006). 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

References

  • Blackman, R.L. & De Boise, E. (2002). Morphometric correlates of karyotype and host plant in genus Euceraphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Systematic Entomology 27, 323-335. Abstract