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"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important" |
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Ovatomyzus chamaedrysWoodsage leaf aphidOn this page: Identification & Distribution Other aphids on the same hostIdentification & DistributionAdult apterae of Ovatomyzus chamaedrys (first picture below, or it may be a fourth-instar) are yellowish white to whitish green, darker at colder temperatures. Their antennae are 1.1-1.6 times the body length, with the terminal process 5.6-7.7 times as long as the base of antennal segment VI (cf. Ovatomyzus boraginacearum, which has the terminal process 4.5-6.0 times the base of that segment). The longest hair on segment III is 0.1-0.2 times the length of the basal diameter of that segment. The antennal tubercles are distinctly developed. The apical segment of the rostrum (RIV+V) is 1.2-1.5 times the second hind tarsal segment (HTII). The siphunculi are pale and slightly swollen on the distal half with a distinct flange (cf. Ovatomyzus stachyos, which has the siphunculi tapering or cylindrical and almost flangeless). The siphunculi are 2.2-3.1 times the caudal length. The cauda is tongue-shaped, with a distinctly constricted base and 5(-7) hairs. The body length of adult Ovatomyzus chamaedrys apterae is 0.8-1.5 mm.
Both images above by permission, copyright Dirk Baert, all rights reserved. Alatae of Ovatomyzus chamaedrys (not pictured) have a black dorsal abdominal patch, and antennae that are 1.1-1.4 times the length of the body. They bear 31-36 secondary rhinaria on antennal segment III, 11-15 on segment IV, and 0-4 on segment V. The siphunculi of alatae are about 2.4 times the length of the cauda. Ovatomyzus chamaedrys lives on the undersides of leaves of certain members of the Lamiaceae, especially wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare) and several species of germander (Teucrium spp.) as well as on small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) and purple gromwell (Lithodora diffusa = Glandora diffusa). There are records from several other Lamiaceae (Ajuga genevensis x pyramidalis, Calamintha sp., Marsypianthes chamaedrys, Mentha spp. Stachys heraclea) and, less certainly, two Boraginaceae species. Ovatomyzus chamaedrys populations are entirely anholocyclic. The woodsage leaf aphid has been recorded from much of Europe, including Britain, and also from Kazakhstan. Other aphids on the same hostOvatomyzus chamaedrys has been recorded from 2 species of basils & calamints (Clinopodium acinos, Clinopodium vulgare).
Ovatomyzus chamaedrys has been recorded from 3 species of germanders (Teucrium chamaedrys, Teucrium divaricatum, Teucrium scorodonia).
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