Neomyzus circumflexus

(Buckton, 1876)

Crescent-marked lily aphid, Mottled arum aphid

Neomyzus circumflexus is a known by two reflecting its association with lilies and arums. It is a significant greenhouse and ornamental pest, feeding on phloem sap and transmitting plant viruses. The species exhibits temperature-dependent immune responses to and has been extensively studied for its nutritional physiology, including artificial diet requirements and dependencies.

Neomyzus circumflexus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter de Lange. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neomyzus circumflexus: /niːoʊˈmaɪzəs sɜːrkəmˈflɛksəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar aphids by the crescent-shaped marking on the , referenced in its . Further diagnostic features require microscopic examination; -level identification typically relies on association and morphological characters of siphunculi and cauda.

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Habitat

Greenhouse and ornamental plant environments; associated with cultivated plants including asparagus, begonia, and fuchsia. Laboratory studies indicate sensitivity to plant surface characteristics—thick hairy leaves hinder feeding and reduce vitality.

Distribution

Records from Flores, São Miguel, Terceira (Azores), São Paulo state (Brazil), and Inaccessible Island. Distribution appears anthropogenic through horticultural trade, though native range unclear.

Diet

Phloem sap from sieve tubes. Documented include Adiantum, Calla, Cineraria, Cyclamen, Fuchsia, Zantedeschia, Viola tricolor, Physalis peruviana, Asparagus, and Begonia. Artificial diet studies confirm requirement for specific (cysteine, tyrosine, phenylalanine) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ca) for sustained .

Host Associations

Adiantum -
Calla -
Cineraria -
Cyclamen -
Fuchsia - major pest
Zantedeschia -
Viola tricolor -
Physalis peruviana -
Asparagus - major pest
Begonia - major pest
Vicia faba - used as comparison in laboratory studies

Life Cycle

Reproduces parthenogenetically. Laboratory colonies maintained for 10+ on artificial diet with stable when trace elements provided. Generation time and development tracked across multiple generations; fitness declines in element-deficient conditions—manganese deficiency causes sterility by 4th generation, deficiency by 5th generation.

Behavior

defense against endoparasitoid Aphelinus asychis is temperature-dependent: reduced at 25°C, enhanced at 15°C. Feeding reduced on hairy leaf surfaces. Successful encapsulation of larvae reduces subsequent by approximately half.

Ecological Role

Herbivore; of plant viruses. for Aphelinus asychis, with variable outcomes in host-parasitoid interactions.

Human Relevance

Major pest of greenhouse ornamentals and vegetables. Economic damage through direct feeding and virus transmission. Subject of extensive laboratory research on nutritional physiology and - interactions.

Similar Taxa

Aulacorthum solaniFormerly classified in same (as Aulacorthum circumflexum); requires examination of abdominal markings and siphuncular for separation

More Details

Nutritional Physiology

Artificial diet studies established optimal trace element concentrations: 460 μg Fe, 220 μg Mn, 190 μg Zn, 850 μg Ca, 100 μg Cu per 100 ml medium. Iron and zinc most critical for ; degenerate without trace elements. Defense ability correlates with general vitality—factors reducing growth, longevity, or simultaneously reduce capacity against .

Taxonomic History

Originally described by Buckton in 1876. Transferred from Aulacorthum to Neomyzus based on revised generic concepts; both names appear in literature and databases.