Aphis sambuci
Linnaeus, 1758
Elderberry Aphid, Elder Aphid
Aphis sambuci is an specialized on elderberry (Sambucus). It occurs across the Holarctic region except Japan and Korea. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, it is one of several morphologically similar 'black aphid' species that can be difficult to distinguish without chemical or detailed morphological analysis.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aphis sambuci: /ˈæfɪs sæmˈbjuːsaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Dark body with cross pattern on dorsum; coloration ranges from blackish to greenish. Siphunculi short and black. White striped belly and white margins on surface sometimes present. Distinguished from related black aphids (Aphis fabae, A. solanella, A. cirsii-acanthoidis, A. hederae) by thin-layer chromatography patterns of fluorescent body compounds.
Images
Habitat
Associated with elderberry plants (Sambucus spp.) in temperate regions.
Distribution
Holarctic distribution; recorded in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Absent from Japan and Korea. Specific country records include Belgium and Brazil (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul).
Host Associations
- Sambucus nigra - primary Eurasian black elderberry
- Sambucus racemosa - secondary North American red elderberry
Similar Taxa
- Aphis fabaeMorphologically similar black ; distinguished by chromatographic compound patterns
- Aphis solanellaMorphologically similar black ; distinguished by chromatographic compound patterns
- Aphis cirsii-acanthoidisMorphologically similar black ; distinguished by chromatographic compound patterns
- Aphis hederaeMorphologically similar black ; distinguished by chromatographic compound patterns
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Incredible Work, and Timely, on 22 Species of Hornets | Bug Squad
- It Takes a Village: Our Continued Efforts to Manage Invasive Species in the U.S.
- Orange and Black II: Milkweed leaf beetle, Labidomera clivicollis; Oleander aphid, Aphis nerii; Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus; Monarch, Danaus plexippus — Bug of the Week
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- Dünnschichtchromatographie — als neue Methode zur Artdifferenzierung der “Schwarzen Blattläuse”: Aphis fabae, A. solanella, A. cirsii‐acanthoidis, A. sambuci und A. hederae (Homoptera: Aphididae)