Chaetosiphon

Huber, 1893

strawberry aphid

Species Guides

Chaetosiphon thomasi(American Hairy Rose Aphid)

Chaetosiphon is a of aphids in the Aphididae, comprising specialized on Rosaceae , particularly strawberries (Fragaria) and roses (Rosa). The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, most notably Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, which multiple strawberry viruses. Species in this genus exhibit complex with both holocyclic (sexual) and anholocyclic (parthenogenetic) , and show morphological variation in karyotype and chaetotaxy that has complicated taxonomic classification.

Chaetosiphon by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Chaetosiphon hottesi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chaetosiphon: //ˌkeɪtoʊˈsaɪfɒn//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other by association with Fragaria and Rosa ; members of the fragaefolii group show variable submarginal setal counts that are not reliable taxonomic characters due to genetic and seasonal variation. The 17- karyotype form is morphologically recognizable as C. jacobi. Rose-feeding (C. thomasi) have shorter rostra than strawberry-feeding populations. Old World populations of C. fragaefolii have longer siphunculi and fewer submarginal setae than North American populations.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural and wild supporting Rosaceae ; primarily associated with cultivated and wild strawberries, as well as roses and Potentilla as alternative hosts.

Distribution

Native to North America; introduced and established in Europe (including England, Poland), New Zealand, and other regions. Present in strawberry-growing regions worldwide including Florida, West Germany, and British Columbia.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on Rosaceae; primary include Fragaria (strawberries) and Rosa species (roses).

Host Associations

Fragaria × ananassa - primary cultivated strawberry
Fragaria spp. - primary wild and cultivated strawberries
Rosa rugosa - primary holocyclic for C. thomasi
Rosa spp. - primary rose-feeding assigned to C. thomasi
Potentilla spp. - alternative used by C. thomasi but apparently not P. anserina
Potentilla anserina - alternative used by both Old and New World of C. fragaefolii

Life Cycle

Holocyclic (with ) documented in British Columbia with 2n=12 female karyotype; predominantly anholocyclic (parthenogenetic) populations in Oregon, California, England, and New Zealand with variable numbers (13, 14, 15, or 17) showing structural heterozygosity. The 17-chromosome form represents a distinct , C. jacobi. Parthenogenetic lineages derived from the holocyclic form carry one to three dissociations.

Behavior

Alary (production of winged versus wingless morphs) influenced by temperature, , and plant. Virus transmission capability documented; natural spread of strawberry crinkle virus affected by lifespan and ability to survive through the latent period of the virus.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest and plant virus ; vectors cytorhabdovirus, strawberry yellow edge virus, and strawberry crinkle virus. Honeydew production documented. Subject to by fungi ( bassiana, Metarhizium sp.), (Aphelinus varipes), and including syrphid flies, asilid flies, Orius insidiosus, and coccinellid beetles.

Human Relevance

Significant economic pest of strawberry worldwide; in some regions (e.g., Poland). Danish jordbærbladlus translates directly to "strawberry ." Control strategies include natural materials such as neem and papaya leaf extracts.

Similar Taxa

PentatrichopusFormer subgenus designation; Chaetosiphon (Pentatrichopus) used in historical literature for in this group, now generally treated as Chaetosiphon.
C. jacobi17- karyotype form morphologically recognizable and previously confused with C. fragaefolii; now treated as distinct .
C. thomasiRose-feeding with shorter rostrum, previously conflated with strawberry-feeding ; distinguished by association and .