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Macrosiphoniella sunshineOregon sunshine aphidOn this page: Identification & Distribution Other aphids on the same hostIdentification & DistributionAdult apterae (see first picture below of a fundatrix) of Macrosiphoniella sunshine are light green, with a darker green (i.e. wax free) longitudinal spinal stripe from the mesonotum to abdominal tergite VII, and a darker green patch around each siphuncular base (cf. Macrosiphoniella ludovicianae on Artemisia, where the dorsum appears uniformly green). The antennae are black, and on segment III bear 12–53 secondary rhinaria from near the segment base to about its mid-point. The antennal terminal process is 3.23–5.68 times the base of antennal segment VI. The apical rostral segment (RIV+V) is 1.19–1.58 times the second hind tarsal segment (HTII) (cf. Macrosiphoniella ludovicianae on Artemisia, which has RIV+V 0.75–0.94 times HTII). The legs are light greenish brown with darker apices to the femora and tibiae, and dark tarsi. The siphunculi are pale basally and brown to black distally, with distal reticulation over more than one third of their length (cf. Macrosiphum euphorbiae on Eriophyllum, which has distal reticulation over less than one quarter of their length). The siphunculi are 1.10–1.46 times the caudal length. The cauda is pale and often pointed, with 15–26 hairs. The body length of Macrosiphoniella sunshine is about 1.5-2.8 mm.
First image above copyright Andrew Jensen, second image copyright Jim Morefield, The alate Macrosiphoniella sunshine is similarly coloured to the aptera, but with a light brown head and thorax. There are 40–56 secondary rhinaria on the whole length of antennal segment III, and sometimes 1–6 rhinaria on segment IV. Macrosiphoniella sunshine is monoecious holocyclic on the flower stems and leaves of Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum, see second picture above). The biology of this aphid is briefly described by Jensen (2020). The fundatrices occur in April (possibly in March in warmer parts of its range) feeding on the overwintered leaves. Aphids then move on to developing flower stems. Alate viviparous females are not common. After flowering, they once again live on the leaves at ground level until sexuales are produced in late fall. Oviparae occur in October, but so far no males have been observed. Macrosiphoniella sunshine occurs in western states of the USA. Other aphids on the same hostMacrosiphoniella sunshine has only been recorded from one Eriophyllum species (Eriophyllum lanatum). Blackman & Eastop list 3 species of aphid as feeding on Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 1 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).
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