Pentalonia nigronervosa

Definition

A small aphid species in the family Aphididae (order Hemiptera), commonly called the banana aphid. It is oligophagous on Musa species (bananas and plantains), feeding in dense colonies on the pseudostem, leaf sheaths, and fruit stalks. The species is the sole confirmed vector of Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causative agent of one of the most economically destructive diseases of banana worldwide. Colonies are typically attended by ants that harvest honeydew. The subspecies P. nigronervosa caladii (formerly treated as a separate species, P. caladii) occurs on Zingiberales such as taro and ginger.

Etymology

Latin nigro- (black) + nervosa (veined), referring to the dark wing venation visible in alate morphs.

Example

In banana plantations, scouts monitor Pentalonia nigronervosa colonies on the outer leaf sheaths; even low densities require control because a single viruliferous aphid can transmit Banana bunchy top virus to a healthy plant.

Synonyms

• Banana aphid

Related Terms

• Aphididae
• Vector
• Banana bunchy top virus
• hemipteran
• honeydew
• Alate
• pseudostem
• oligophagous
• Pentalonia nigronervosa caladii

Usage Notes

The species epithet is sometimes misspelled 'nigronervosus' (masculine), but the name is correctly feminine to agree with Pentalonia. Formerly, populations on non-Musa hosts were treated as the separate species Pentalonia caladii, but current taxonomy treats these as the subspecies P. nigronervosa caladii. Identification requires microscopic examination of siphunculi, cauda, and antennal sensoria; winged morphs show characteristic darkened wing veins.