Kaltenbachiella

Schouteden, 1906

Species Guides

Kaltenbachiella ulmifusa(Slippery Elm Gall Aphid)

Kaltenbachiella is a of gall-forming aphids in the Aphididae, Eriosomatinae. The genus was established by Schouteden in 1906 and contains at least three described . Members of this genus are known for inducing closed galls on plants and exhibit fine- genetic to individual host tree phenologies. The best-studied species, Kaltenbachiella japonica, demonstrates specialized with elm trees.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Kaltenbachiella: //kæl.tənˈbæki.ə.lə//

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Habitat

Associated with deciduous trees, particularly elms (Ulmus ). Gall formation occurs on leaf midribs.

Distribution

Distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. -level distributions vary: Kaltenbachiella japonica occurs in Japan.

Seasonality

Activity synchronized with tree budburst . hatching timed to coincide with leaf .

Diet

Phloem-feeding on trees. Kaltenbachiella japonica feeds on Ulmus davidiana var. japonica.

Host Associations

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica - Primary for Kaltenbachiella japonica; gall formation on leaf midribs

Life Cycle

First-instar fundatrices induce closed galls on leaf midribs. Sexuparae emerge from galls to produce sexual morphs. Leaves bearing multiple galls may wither before sexuparae .

Behavior

Foundatrices select gall sites based on leaf vigor, as indicated by lateral- length. Multiple galls often induced on a single leaf. Gall-site selection represents a compromise between optimal positioning for offspring production and synchrony with -plant leaf .

More Details

Genetic Adaptation

of Kaltenbachiella japonica show significant genetic differentiation associated with individual trees, with -hatching time correlated to budburst of respective host trees. This represents fine- local without maternal effects on hatching timing.