Abstract:

[Objective] Shivaphis pteroceltis(Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a new aphid species attacking trees of Pteroceltis tatarinowii. It damages leaves, fruits and young branches of the host, and mainly affects the growth of trees and induces the sooty mold of P. tatarinowii and the other plants nearby. This study focuses on the distribution and damage, morphological traits, and biological traits of the insect, and intends to lay the foundation for the further study of its ecological traits and comprehensive control. [Method] Distribution and Damage: The distribution and occurrence of the insect were investigated in the P. tatarinowii natural distribution area in Shandong and Anhui provinces. Morphology: Morphology of each instar state from field and laboratory reared populations were collected and observed, measured and recorded with optical microscopes, dissecting microscope, digital stereo microscope. Biology: The damage characteristics, life history and habits were observed in the field and laboratory and recorded regularly each week from hatching of overwintering eggs in March to production of fertilized eggs in November.[Result] Distribution and Damage: S. pteroceltis was found in Shandong, Anhui and other regions. The mouth needle of the aphid inserted into the phloem of leaves and twigs, sucked juices, which caused the leaves yellow, seeds dysplasia. In addition, its body produced honey dew also induced serious sooty mold. They gathered at the main veins on the back of the blade, and along the base of petiole main veins spreading to lateral veins of leaf edge. Morphology: The fresh eggs were orange yellow, gradually become dark brown to black; and the overwintered egg was bright black with luster; The newly hatched nymph was elliptic in form and translucent without thick wax powder and wax filaments; The nymph molted 4 times and became adult aphid. The adult body bore thick wax powder and wax filaments. The adult body was elliptic in form, yellow-green, bearing thick wax powder and wax filaments; viviparous females had both apterous and alate forms. The oviparous female was wingless while its male had wings. Biology: Fundatrix was produced by the overwintered egg in mid-late March in Zaozhuang area, the 1st instar nymph of fundatrigenia was occurred in April and the viviparous female was produced in May. The sexupara was appeared in early October, after mating in mid-October they produced the fertilized eggs which overwintered. Apterous viviparous females showed stronger hunger-resistance than the alate ones.[Conclusion] It was found that S. pteroceltis only infested P. tatarinowii. The aphid was found right now in Shandong, Anhui and other areas. Its life cycle indicated mono-hosted, living in groups with apterous type predominantly and strong hunger-resistance ability. As S. pteroceltis has characters of fast breeding, numerous in number, fast spreading, it could cause severe damages to P. tatarinowii in many areas.

Key words: Pteroceltis tatarinowii, Shivaphis pteroceltis, biological characters