Drepanosiphum platanoidis

Distinguished from other Drepanosiphum species by host association with Acer platanoides and A. pseudoplatanus. Drepanosiphum acerinum occurs on the same hosts but has longer antennae relative to body length. Drepanosiphum platanoidis has shorter, thicker siphunculi than D. acerinum. Wing venation differs from related genera: once-branched media vein in forewing. Alatae have distinct pigmented wing borders.

Small aphid, 2-3 mm in length. Body pale green to yellowish-green, often with darker green longitudinal stripes. Winged forms (alatae) have dark-bordered wings with characteristic venation. Antennae long, extending beyond body length. Cornicles (siphunculi) short and inconspicuous. Wingless forms (apterae) occur in summer; these are more rounded and paler.

Associated with maple and sycamore trees, particularly Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and sycamore maple (A. pseudoplatanus). Occurs in urban parks, gardens, woodlands, and forests where host trees are present. Favors temperate climates with established maple populations. Colonizes leaves, feeding on phloem sap of young shoots and undersides of leaves.

Native to Europe; widespread across western, central, and northern Europe. Introduced to New Zealand (first recorded 1960s) and possibly other regions with imported maples. Absent from most of North America where native maple aphids predominate.

Active from spring through autumn in temperate regions. Overwinters as eggs on host bark. Fundatrices (stem mothers) hatch in early spring (March-April in Europe). Multiple parthenogenetic generations through summer. Sexual forms (males and oviparae) produced in autumn (September-October), laying overwintering eggs.

Phloem sap of maple and sycamore trees (Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, occasionally other Acer species). Does not alternate hosts; remains on primary host year-round.

• Acer platanoides - primary hostNorway maple
• Acer pseudoplatanus - primary hostSycamore maple
• Acer saccharinum - occasional hostSilver maple

Holocyclic with complete sexual cycle. Overwintering eggs hatch in spring to produce fundatrices. 10-15 parthenogenetic generations of apterous and alate viviparae through summer. Short-day photoperiod triggers production of sexual morphs in autumn. Males are alate; oviparae are apterous and produce sex pheromones. Eggs laid on bark of twigs and branches, often near buds.

Forms dense colonies on undersides of leaves, particularly on young growth. Alatae disperse to new host trees when colonies become crowded. Exhibits drop-off response to disturbance, falling from leaves to escape predators. Honeydew production is abundant, attracting ants and supporting sooty mold growth. No known soldier caste or defensive behaviors beyond escape responses.

Major herbivore on sycamore and maple in temperate regions. Significant source of honeydew in forest and urban ecosystems, supporting ant populations and honeydew-feeding insects. Prey for diverse natural enemy complex including lady beetles (Coccinellidae), lacewings (Chrysopidae), hoverfly larvae (Syrphidae), and parasitoid wasps (Aphidiidae). Contributes to nutrient cycling through phloem extraction and honeydew deposition.

Minor pest of ornamental maples and sycamores; heavy infestations can cause leaf curling and honeydew soiling. Not considered economically important for timber or syrup production. Used in ecological research on aphid population dynamics and predator-prey relationships. Presence indicates established maple populations in urban forestry assessments.

• Drepanosiphum acerinumOccurs on same Acer hosts; distinguished by longer antennae, more slender body, and longer siphunculi
• Drepanosiphum dixoniSmaller species on Acer campestre; has distinct dark abdominal markings not present in D. platanoidis
• Periphyllus acericolaDifferent genus on maples; larger, more robust, with distinct branched dorsal abdominal hairs

• aphid
• maple pest
• honeydew producer
• urban forestry
• introduced species

• BugGuide