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Insecta, Homoptera, Aphididae .

Black citrus aphid

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Biology
- This aphid is found worldwide on Citrus.
- In tropical regions, the species is polyphagous, attacking tea (Camellia), coffee (Coffea), mango (Mangifera) and anone (Annona) plants. In countries with a Mediterranean climate, it is virtually monophagous, attacking virtually only Citrus (although sometimes Pittosporum).
- Sexual forms are unknown in nature. Anholocyclism is obligatory.
- Adults stridulate (very audibly) by rubbing tibial spines on the striae of theabdomen.
- Each female produces 50 to70 nymphs.
- Colonies develop preferentially on the underside of foliage. They may also be found on shoots and flower buds.
The optimum temperature for this aphid is 20 to 25°C. Lower winter temperatures and particularly summer heat (above 30°C) slow down development.
- In Italy, the black citrus aphid overwinters as individuals grouped in very small numbers on buds or on other plants found in citrus fruit orchards.

[R]Life Cycle
About thirty generations succeed each other and overlap throughout the year.

[R]Damage
The black citus aphid sucks sap and weakens attacked tissue. In the spring, it is very harmful to citrus fruits, causing flower buds to drop off.
The abundant honeydew it produces attracts ants and allows the development of sooty moulds.

[R] Images

1. Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) Winged and apterous aphids (Shell Algérie)