Ericaphis

Ericaphis species are small, soft-bodied aphids. Ericaphis fimbriata can be distinguished from other blueberry-associated aphids by its specific association with Vaccinium corymbosum and its role as the dominant aphid species in commercial blueberry fields in southwestern British Columbia, Washington, and northeastern Oregon. Accurate species-level identification within the genus requires examination of morphological characters such as siphunculi, cauda, and antennal tubercles; identification keys to species are available in aphid taxonomic literature.

Associated with Ericaceae, particularly Vaccinium species. Ericaphis fimbriata occurs in commercial highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) fields, where it colonizes both young and mature leaves. The species overwinters as eggs on blueberry hosts.

Records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (GBIF). Ericaphis fimbriata is documented from southwestern British Columbia, Washington, and northeastern Oregon in North America.

Ericaphis fimbriata overwinters as eggs and emerges during late February and March at bud break. Fundatrices appear in April, producing virginoparous offspring. Peak densities occur in late June or early July. Alate production declines from May through August. Sexual morphs appear in late September and October.

Phloem feeder on Ericaceae, specifically Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry).

• Vaccinium corymbosum - primary hosthighbush blueberry; commercial crop host for Ericaphis fimbriata

Holocyclic with overwintering eggs. Ericaphis fimbriata: eggs hatch in late February to March; fundatrices (apterous) appear in April and produce both alate and apterous virginoparae; sexual morphs produced in late September to October. Development threshold is 4.1°C. Development time and fecundity vary seasonally and with leaf age: 157.7 degree-days on young spring leaves versus 312.4 degree-days on mature summer leaves.

Strong seasonal variation in development rate and fecundity. Preference for young leaves in spring, with population growth maximized during this period. Production of alate virginoparae increases with aphid density on flower clusters.

Herbivore on Vaccinium species. Ericaphis fimbriata is a significant agricultural pest and the primary vector of blueberry scorch virus (BlScV) in commercial blueberry production. Host for multiple aphidiine parasitoid species including Aphidius ericaphidis.

Ericaphis fimbriata is an economically important pest of commercial highbush blueberry. It is the primary vector of blueberry scorch virus (BlScV), a significant pathogen of blueberry crops. Management recommendations emphasize control before bloom and alate production to reduce virus transmission risk. Binomial sampling methods have been developed for population monitoring in commercial fields.

• other Aphididae on VacciniumEricaphis fimbriata is distinguished from other blueberry aphids by being the dominant species in commercial highbush blueberry fields in the Pacific Northwest and by specific morphological characters; parasitoid species assemblages can aid in identification

• aphid
• blueberry pest
• virus vector
• agricultural pest
• Ericaceae
• Macrosiphini
• Pacific Northwest
• integrated pest management

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Life-history parameters and population dynamics of Ericaphis fimbriata (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum
• A binomial sampling method for estimating the density of blueberry aphid, Ericaphis fimbriata (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in commercial highbush blueberry
• A new Aphidius Nees (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of Ericaphis fimbriata (Richards) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) and key to parasitoids of blueberry aphid in the Pacific Northwest
• Ecology and management of Ericaphis fimbriata (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in relation to the potential for spread of Blueberry scorch virus