Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345543
Research Project: Integrated Management of Soybean Pathogens and Pests

Location: Soybean/maize Germplasm, Pathology, and Genetics Research

Title: Identification of a new species of Aphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) based on distinct morphology

Author
item Lagos-Kutz, Doris
item VOEGTLIN, DAVID - University Of Illinois
item Hartman, Glen

Submitted to: Insecta Mundi
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/8/2017
Publication Date: 3/31/2017
Citation: Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Voegtlin, D.J., Hartman, G.L. 2017. Identification of a new species of Aphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) based on distinct morphology. Insecta Mundi. 0535:1-11.

Interpretive Summary: Aphids are insects that have many described species. Some are specific to certain hosts while others feed on many different hosts. Many species of aphids feed on the members of the mint plant family. In North America, five species are known to feed on mints. Molecular approaches have been used to resolve the taxonomic status of these species. However, in some species, commonly used molecular techniques are not sufficient for species delimitation and other factors such as host association and morphology need to be considered. In this study, we present a previously undescribed species of aphid recently collected on a member of the mint family based on morphological characteristics. This study is important to aphid taxonomists and others interested in insect diversity on plants.

Technical Abstract: Aphis elena Lagos-Kutz and Voegtlin, sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is described from specimens collected in Illinois, USA, on the North American native plant, Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) T. Dur. & B.D. Jacks. ex B.L. Rob. & Fernald (Family: Lamiaceae). Both apterous and alate viviparae are described and illustrated, and a dichotomous key is provided to apterous and alate viviparae of the six species of Aphis that have been recorded on plants in the family Lamiaceae in North America. Neighbor-joining analysis of cytochrome oxidase 1 (Cox1) indicated a close relationship of the new species with A. monardae Oestlund, which also feeds on a member of La- miaceae. The range of pair-wise distances for DNA barcoding of these species is 0.17–0.33%. The newly described A. elena is morphologically more similar to A. gossypii Glover than it is to A. monardae.