Myzus cerasi

(Fabricius, 1775)

black cherry aphid, cherry blackfly

Myzus cerasi, commonly known as the black cherry or cherry blackfly, is a phloem-feeding aphid native to Europe that has become in distribution. The exhibits complex alternation between primary hosts (Prunus cerasus and Prunus avium) and secondary hosts (Galium and Veronica species). Two host-specific are recognized: M. c. cerasi on sour cherry and M. c. pruniavium on sweet cherry, distinguished by mitochondrial COI haplotypes and subtle morphological differences. The species is a significant agricultural pest of cherry orchards, forming dense colonies that cause leaf curling and damage to new growth.

Myzus cerasi by no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter Gabler. Used under a CC0 license.

Galicia. Insect by Lmbuga. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Aleyrodoidea en Bastavales, Brión, Galicia by Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myzus cerasi: /ˈmaɪ.zəs ˈkɛr.ə.siː/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Myzus by the combination of shiny black body, entirely black siphunculi and cauda, and yellow-and-black legs and . The two M. c. cerasi and M. c. pruniavium cannot be reliably separated by single morphological characters but require multivariate discriminant analysis of morphometric data or COI haplotype analysis; a three-character linear discriminant function achieves >92% correct identification.

Images

Habitat

Found in cherry orchards and areas with wild Prunus . Colonies develop on growing top shoots of plants. Secondary host occur on herbaceous plants in late summer.

Distribution

originally from Europe, now distributed across Europe, parts of Asia, and introduced to North America (including Canada). Present in Belgium, Azores (Flores, Terceira), and widely across European cherry-growing regions.

Seasonality

densities positively correlated with temperature increases between seasons. In temperate regions, hatch in spring; parthenogenetic occur through summer; sexual forms and egg-laying return in autumn. Can persist on clematis through late autumn and potentially winter in mild conditions.

Diet

Phloem-feeding . Primary : Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) and Prunus avium (sweet cherry). Secondary hosts: Galium (including G. mollugo, hedge bedstraw) and Veronica species.

Host Associations

Prunus cerasus - primary of M. c. cerasi
Prunus avium - primary of M. c. pruniavium
Galium mollugo - secondary Hedge bedstraw; summer in North America and Europe
Galium aparine - secondary Cleavers; laboratory
Barbarea verna - secondary Land cress; requires prior to cleavers
Veronica species - secondary Secondary

Life Cycle

Heteroecious (-alternating) . Overwinters as on primary host (Prunus). In spring, eggs hatch and fundatrices initiate colonies on new growth. Multiple parthenogenetic produced through summer. In late summer, winged forms migrate to secondary hosts (Galium, Veronica) where additional parthenogenetic generations occur. In autumn, winged sexual forms return to primary host; males and females mate and females deposit eggs. Temperature significantly affects development rate and .

Behavior

Forms large, dense colonies on growing shoots that cause leaf curling. Exhibits extensive transcriptional plasticity when switching between plants, with differential regulation of detoxification and redox reaction genes. Sequential host observed: cannot survive on Land cress unless first adapted to cleavers. Winged forms produced in response to crowding and seasonal cues.

Ecological Role

Herbivorous pest of cherry . Honeydew production supports growth and attracts tending ants, yellowjackets, and other sugar-feeding insects. Serves as prey for predatory insects including lady beetles and .

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of sour and sweet cherry orchards worldwide. Dense colonies damage new growth and reduce fruit production. Subject to including using and (Bacillus thuringiensis strains have shown efficacy in laboratory and field studies). breeding programs explore natural deterrents based on profile differences between cherry .

Similar Taxa

Myzus persicaeGreen peach aphid; differs in range ( vs. oligophagous), coloration (usually green or pinkish, not shiny black), and lack of host-specific structure
Brachycaudus prunicolaFormerly confused with M. cerasi; distinguished by taxonomic revision and morphological differences, though both feed on Prunus
Myzus variansPeach-clematis ; differs in primary (peach) and secondary host (clematis), and geographic distribution