Lipaphis

Mordvilko, 1928

Crucifer Aphids

Species Guides

1

Lipaphis is a of aphids in the Aphididae, commonly known as crucifer aphids. in this genus are specialized feeders on plants in the family Brassicaceae, with some species showing broader ranges within dicotyledons. The genus includes economically significant pests such as Lipaphis erysimi (mustard ) and Lipaphis pseudobrassicae, which cause substantial yield losses in rapeseed, mustard, kale, and other cruciferous crops across multiple continents.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lipaphis: /lɪˈpeɪfɪs/

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Habitat

Agricultural and natural environments dominated by herbaceous dicotyledons, particularly Brassicaceae. occur on cultivated cruciferous crops including rapeseed, mustard, kale, and canola, as well as wild crucifers.

Distribution

Widely distributed across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Yugoslavia), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, USSR), Africa (Cameroun, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda), Australasia and Pacific Islands (Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea), North America (Canada, Mexico, USA), Central America and West Indies ( Rica, Nicaragua, West Indies), and South America (Argentina, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela). Distribution records also confirmed from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Diet

Phloem sap from dicotyledonous plants. The shows strong affinity for Brassicaceae; most feed exclusively on Brassica hosts, though L. erysimi and L. pseudobrassicae have broader host ranges within dicotyledons while still predominantly consuming Brassicaceae (79-86% of host plants from this ).

Host Associations

  • Brassicaceae - primary Strong affinity; 95.83% of from herbaceae
  • Brassica oleracea var. acephala - kale/couve
  • Brassica juncea - mustard/mostarda
  • dicotyledons - broader classexclusive feeding on dicots; less than 5% from lignosae

Life Cycle

Holocyclic or anholocyclic depending on and climate. For L. pseudobrassicae: nymphal stage lasts approximately 5.3-5.6 days on kale and mustard with low mortality (<16%). time (T) approximately 11 days; net reproductive rate (Ro) of 92.61; (rm) of 0.39; finite rate of increase (λ) of 1.49; doubling time (DT) rapid. Total duration and longevity similar across Brassicaceae hosts. primarily parthenogenetic with females producing live young.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and agricultural pest with high . Serves as prey for aphidophagous natural enemies including predatory syrphid flies (Ischiodon scutellaris, Episyrphus balteatus, Eupeodes frequens, Metasyrphus confrater) and (Diaeretiella rapae). Syrphid oviposition is -dependent, with -laying increasing with density up to an upper asymptote.

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of Brassicaceae oilseed and vegetable crops. L. erysimi is a primary constraint for mustard production in Pakistan and India, causing substantial yield losses. L. pseudobrassicae has potential to become the main pest of Brassicaceae in Brazil. Management strategies include (cultivar selection such as KS-75 and PM 25 showing resistance), adjusted sowing dates, extracts (neem), synthetic (Fipronil, acetamiprid), and through natural enemy conservation. Resistance to and insecticides has been documented in some .

Similar Taxa

  • Brevicoryne brassicaeAlso a major pest of Brassicaceae; co-occurs on same and is prey for the same natural enemy complex; distinguished by morphological features and specific host preferences
  • Myzus persicaeOccurs on Brassicaceae crops including kale; broader diet; differs in range and body

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