Nasonovia

Mordvilko, 1914

Species Guides

2

Nasonovia is a of aphids in the Aphididae, established by Mordvilko in 1914. within this genus are distributed across Europe, North America, and Australia. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, most notably Nasonovia ribisnigri (lettuce ), which infests lettuce crops worldwide. Some species are associated with Saxifragaceae plants.

Nasonovia (Kakimia) stroyani by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Nasonovia (Kakimia) houghtenensis occidentalis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Nasonovia (Kakimia) houghtenensis occidentalis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nasonovia: /ˈneɪsoʊˌnoʊviə/

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

Images

Habitat

Agricultural and natural environments; occur on plants including lettuce (Lactuca sativa), currants (Ribes spp.), chicory, and Saxifragaceae (Tellima, Boykinia). Nasonovia ribisnigri feeds deep inside lettuce plants, particularly at the of lettuce.

Distribution

Europe, North America, and Australia. Specific records include: Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine); Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Turkey); North America (Canada: British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec; USA: Idaho, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington); South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru); Oceania (New Zealand).

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plants. Nasonovia ribisnigri specifically feeds on phloem sap of lettuce and related composites.

Host Associations

  • Lactuca sativa - primary Lettuce; major agricultural for N. ribisnigri
  • Ribes spp. - Currants; listed as for N. ribisnigri
  • Cichorium spp. - Chicory; alternative
  • Tellima - Saxifragaceae; for N. (Kakimia) stroyani
  • Boykinia - Saxifragaceae; for N. (Kakimia) stroyani
  • Nicotiana spp. - Winter for lettuce

Human Relevance

Nasonovia ribisnigri (lettuce ) is a major agricultural pest of lettuce worldwide. Control has traditionally relied on , though resistance and regulatory constraints drive interest in alternatives. Research has evaluated spray technology, drone releases of agents, and (Aphelinus abdominalis) for management. The Nr-gene from Lactuca virosa provides absolute resistance in breeding programs.

Similar Taxa

  • Myzus persicaeGreen peach aphid; both are lettuce pests but N. ribisnigri lacks strongly converging antennal present in M. persicae, and feeds deeper in plant leaves

More Details

Subgeneric classification

The includes subgenus Kakimia, which contains such as N. (K.) stroyani and N. (K.) cynosbati associated with Saxifragaceae .

Research significance

N. ribisnigri serves as a model system for studying olfaction, , and agriculture technologies including automated drone releases of natural enemies.

Sources and further reading