Eriosomatinae

Kirkaldy, 1905

Woolly Aphids, Gall-making Aphids

Tribe Guides

Eriosomatinae is a of aphids distinguished by filamentous waxy secretions that produce a cotton-like or woolly appearance. Members exhibit typically heteroecious , alternating between primary and secondary plants, with strong primary host plant specialization. Many induce galls on primary hosts, particularly on Ulmaceae (elms, zelkovas), Salicaceae (poplars), and Anacardiaceae (sumacs). The subfamily contains three tribes: Eriosomatini, Fordini, and Pemphigini.

Tetraneura ulmi by no rights reserved, uploaded by Tomas Pocius. Used under a CC0 license.

Kaltenbachiella ulmifusa by (c) Cecil Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cecil Smith. Used under a CC-BY license.

Eriosoma americanum by (c) Emily Summerbell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emily Summerbell. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eriosomatinae: /ˌɛri.əˌsoʊməˈtaɪniː/

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Images

Habitat

Associated with diverse plants including primary hosts Ulmus and Zelkova (Ulmaceae), Rhus and Pistacia (Anacardiaceae), Populus (Salicaceae), and secondary hosts including Cypeaceae, Graminaceae, Hypnaceae, Magnoliaceae, and Pinaceae. Gall-forming inhabit leaf, petiole, and branch tissues of primary hosts.

Distribution

Widely distributed in Holarctic and Oriental regions, with records from North America, Europe, Asia (including China, Mongolia, and Taiwan), and Iran. Global distribution reflects plant ranges, particularly of elm, poplar, and sumac .

Diet

Phloem-feeding using needle-like mouthparts to withdraw sap from leaves, buds, bark, and roots. Feeding produces honeydew, a sticky that can promote growth on plants.

Life Cycle

Typically heteroecious holocyclic, with seasonal alternation between primary plants (where galls are induced and occurs) and secondary host plants (where parthenogenetic develop). Some exhibit two-year . is . Fundatrices initiate colonies on primary hosts in spring. Winged morphs () disperse between hosts. Some species have been documented with ovoviviparity in sexual females.

Behavior

Nymphs secrete dense filamentous wax coatings for protection against and environmental conditions. Winged engage in -seeking . Some produce specialized sterile soldier for colony defense. First and second instar nymphs in galls of some species exhibit attacking toward intruders.

Ecological Role

Primary endosymbiont Buchnera supplies essential nutrients lacking in phloem sap. Six facultative bacterial have been identified (Regiella most common), potentially providing defense against and , heat , and plant . Host plant associations influence symbiont composition. Serve as prey for various and hosts for parasitoids; documented as hosts for mermithid .

Human Relevance

Several are agricultural and horticultural pests. Eriosoma lanigerum (woolly apple aphid) damages fruit trees including apple, pear, hawthorn, and elm. Feeding causes twisted and curled leaves, yellowed foliage, poor growth, and branch dieback. Can plant and fungi including powdery mildew. Honeydew production leads to that reduces . Some species produce galls that cause unsightly damage to ornamental plants.

Similar Taxa

Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae)Both produce white waxy secretions, but mealybugs are in a separate hemipteran with distinct body plan, lack the cornicles characteristic of aphids, and do not exhibit the or gall induction typical of Eriosomatinae
Flatid planthoppers (Flatidae)Nymphs also secrete white waxy filaments for protection, but are in a different hemipteran superfamily (Fulgoroidea), have different body shape and wing venation, and do not form galls or exhibit alternation
Aphidinae (other aphid subfamilies)Lack the dense woolly wax secretions; most are not heteroecious and do not induce complex galls; cornicles (when present) are more prominent and functional