Aulacorthum solani (Foxglove aphid): Identification, Facts, and Taxonomy

Aulacorthum solani is a globally distributed agricultural pest with one of the broadest ranges of any aphid , feeding on both dicots and monocots. It is a phloem-feeding hemipteran that causes direct feeding damage including stunted growth, leaf discoloration, and deformation, and serves as a for plant viruses. The species exhibits temperature-dependent development and , with optimal performance between 12.5–20°C and survival possible from 5–27.5°C. Both winged and wingless morphs occur, with used for colony maintenance in laboratory settings.

Identification

Distinguished from similar aphids by its exceptionally broad range spanning both dicots and monocots; morphological identification requires examination of diagnostic features such as siphunculi and caudal structures typical of the Aulacorthum. COI barcoding has been used to confirm identity and distinguish from contaminants such as Brachycaudus helichrysi. Winged and wingless females occur, with nymphal development completed in approximately 131.2 above a lower threshold of 5.02°C.

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Habitat

Greenhouse crops and open agricultural fields; laboratory colonies maintained on fava bean (Vicia faba) at 20°C with 16L:8D . Thrives in temperate conditions with high at moderate temperatures.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution; documented across Europe (including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom), Africa (Canary Islands, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe), North America, and New Zealand. Particularly important pest in North America and the United Kingdom.

Seasonality

Active across temperatures from 5–27.5°C; optimal development and occur at 12.5–20°C with maximum intrinsic rates of increase at 25°C. Upper developmental threshold estimated at 33.9°C.

Diet

Phloem feeder; consumes sap from vascular tissues of plants.

Host Associations

Solanum lycopersicum - pestmajor crop
Capsicum spp. - pestpeppers
Nicotiana tabacum - pesttobacco
Glycine max - pestsoybean; subject of resistance studies
Vicia faba - laboratory standard rearing
Cucurbitaceae - pestcucurbits
Fabaceae - pestlegumes
Apium graveolens - pestcelery
Daucus carota - pestcarrots
Tulipa spp. - pesttulip bulbs

Life Cycle

Nymphal development requires approximately 131.2 above 5.02°C. is primarily parthenogenetic, with both winged and wingless female produced. Maximum total of approximately 76.9 nymphs per adult occurs at 18.1°C; maximum daily fecundity of approximately 6.1 nymphs per adult per day occurs at 21.3°C in 5.2-day-old adults.

Behavior

multiple plant viruses. Exhibits temperature-dependent with sharp increase in daily at early ages followed by gradual decline until final . Capable of both winged and wingless sedentary forms. Feeding causes leaf discoloration and deformation; heavy result in stunted growth from phloem loss.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest; plant virus ; phloem feeder reducing crop productivity. Preyed upon by including the mite Anystis baccarum, which has been shown to accelerate decline and reduce damage in greenhouse trials.

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of greenhouse and field crops including tomato, pepper, tobacco, celery, carrot, tulip, cucurbits, and legumes. Subject of efforts using (Aphidius ervi) and predatory mites (Anystis baccarum). Genomic research facilitated by draft assembly (671 Mb, 98.6% BUSCO completeness) to study detoxification genes, salivary proteins, virus transmission mechanisms, and chemoreception.

Similar Taxa

Myzus persicaeGreen peach aphid; both are major agricultural pests with broad ranges and virus capabilities, distinguished by host range breadth and morphological features
Brachycaudus helichrysiDetected as a contaminant in earlier A. solani assemblies; requires molecular verification for accurate identification

More Details

Genomic features

Draft of 671 Mb contains 24,981 predicted genes with expanded odorant receptor (17 vs. 9 in Acyrthosiphon pisum) and three complete KEGG modules for inositol phosphate metabolism and elongation not present in A. pisum. Infected with endosymbiont.

Temperature parameters

Lower developmental threshold: 5.02°C; upper developmental threshold: 33.9°C; optimum for nymphal development: 26.9°C; optimum for : 18.1°C.

Biological control compatibility

Anystis baccarum predatory mites are complementary to Aphidius ervi releases, with combined treatments eradicating more rapidly than parasitoids alone and increasing fruit yield by 15%.