Life cycle of maple-tree aphid Stomaphis graffii Cholodkovsky, 1894 (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

Abstract

Aphids tend to alter their life cycle and habitat range under the influence of changes in climatic conditions, which is especially relevant given that such species are often agricultural pests. Aphids of the genus Stomaphis are remarkable for their large body size, but due to their discreet feeding positions, knowledge of their biology remains fragmentary. Observations conducted during a period of two years were used to infer the life-cycle oi Stomaphis graffti Cholod., an abundant species in parks and forest-stands in southern Poland. Observations indicate the occurrence of the first generation as early as at the end of April and the generation of alate females throughout July and August. Sexual generation occurs in late August and oviposition takes place from the end of September through to October. At the turn of October and November, apart from oviparous females, some larvae are still present in colonies. Meteorological data provided for the period of hatching of first larvae indicates correlation of this phenomenon with the phenology of the host plant rather than directly with the weather. Presented data are further compared with the biology of other representatives of the genus Stomaphis with reference to their habitat requirements.

Investigating the Impact of Climate Warming on Phenology of Aphid Pests in China Using Long-Term Historical Data

“…In southern Poland, during the warmer early winter of 2013-2014, female adult aphids of Stomaphis spp. successfully lived for four months longer than usual [33], while female adults of the genus usually died in harsh severe conditions after laying eggs [34].…”

Seasonal Migration in the Aphid Genus Stomaphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae): Discovery of Host Alternation Between Woody Plants in Subfamily Lachninae

“…In the overall molecular phylogeny of Stomaphis , lineage G occupies a relatively derived position ( Yamamoto et al 2020b ), suggesting that acquisition of host alternation represents an exception. The existence of seasonal host alternation in Stomaphis is surprising because Stomaphis aphids on a single host tree are not considered to be nutritionally limited during any season ( Depa 2013 , Depa et al 2015 ).…”

Atypical, ventro-ventral copulation position in aphids of the genus Stomaphis Walker, 1870 (Insecta, Hemiptera)

“…Being enclosed in a small ant chamber, males may encounter very high levels of intraspecific competition from other males, which may not necessarily be of the same genetic lineage, since limited dispersal by alate females occurs in these aphids (Depa, 2012(Depa, , 2013Takada, 2008). As a single aphid colony may last at least as long as its protective ant colony (e.g.…”

“…Consequently many Stomaphis species are rarely found and research concerning their biology and ecology is difficult to undertake. All the known Stomaphis species are strongly dependent on their mutualistic relationship with ants (Depa, 2012(Depa, , 2013Depa et al, 2012) and the life mode of the aphids closely follows the life mode of their ant partner. Thus the species showing atypical copulation and a cryptic life mode subject of this study are associated with the ant Lasius brunneus which typically nests in old tree trunks…”