Grylloprociphilus

Smith & Pepper, 1968

woolly beech aphid, boogie-woogie aphid, beech blight aphid

Grylloprociphilus is a of in the , established by Smith & Pepper in 1968. The genus contains at least one described , G. imbricator, commonly known as the woolly beech aphid or boogie-woogie aphid. These aphids are notable for producing dense waxy secretions that cloak tree branches, and for their distinctive defensive of synchronized swaying when disturbed. The genus exhibits with host alternation between primary and secondary hosts.

Grylloprociphilus imbricator by (c) Juan C. Espinosa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Juan C. Espinosa. Used under a CC-BY license.

Grylloprociphilus imbricator by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Grylloprociphilus imbricator by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Grylloprociphilus: //ˌɡrɪloʊproʊˈsɪfɪləs//

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Images

Habitat

Forest and woodland environments; colonies form on branches and twigs of trees. Specific requirements correspond to distribution of primary host plants (Celtis ) and secondary hosts including beech.

Distribution

North America; records from Vermont and broader United States. Distribution corresponds with range of primary plants (hackberry ) and secondary hosts.

Seasonality

as on bark; hatch in spring; multiple parthenogenetic through summer; produced for host in summer; return migration and in autumn; colony size peaks by late autumn.

Diet

Phloem sap of plants.

Host Associations

Celtis occidentalis - primary common hackberry
Celtis laevigata - primary sugar hackberry
Celtis tenuifolia - primary dwarf hackberry
Fagus grandifolia - secondary beech
Taxodium distichum - secondary swamp cypress; root-feeding stage
Ptelea trifoliata - secondary hop-tree

Life Cycle

holocyclic with alternation. Overwinters as on primary host bark. hatch in spring and produce multiple parthenogenetic . Winged migrate to secondary hosts in summer; some remain on beech while others move to swamp cypress roots. Return to primary host in autumn produces sexual (oviparae and males); mating and on primary host complete the cycle.

Behavior

Colonies produce dense waxy secretions from specialized abdominal glands. When disturbed, perform synchronized swaying with -covered raised—termed 'boogie-woogie' —thought to confuse or distract . Defensive squads of female attack intruders including , using to stab and dislodge threats.