Myzocallis asclepiadis

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily: Aphidoidea
Family: Aphididae
Subfamily: Calaphidinae
Tribe: Panaphidini
Subtribe: Myzocallidina
Genus: Myzocallis
Species: asclepiadis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myzocallis asclepiadis: /ˌmaɪzoʊˈkælɪs əˌsklɛpiˈeɪdɪs/

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

Images

Myzocallis asclepiadis. Aphis nerii by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Myzocallis asclepiadis by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Myzocallis asclepiadis alate by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Aphis nerii on common milkweed by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Myzocallis asclepiadis. group by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Myzocallis asclepiadis is a species of aphid that primarily feeds on common milkweed. Known for its color changes throughout the summer, this aphid exhibits both winged and wingless forms and has several generations a year, demonstrating a complex reproductive strategy including parthenogenesis.

Physical Characteristics

Pale green-yellow; later in the season, may have orange spots or be entirely orange. Wingless forms appear with numerous dark spots or small plates.

Identification Tips

Typically found on the underside of lower leaves of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and highly mobile.

Habitat

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Diet

Feeds on the sap of plants, particularly the common milkweed.

Life Cycle

Several generations a year; parthenogenetic; summer adults are mainly winged.

Reproduction

Involves wingless sexual adults producing eggs for overwintering after a process of aestivation triggered by low temperatures.