Mordwilkoja

Del Guercio, 1909

Species Guides

Mordwilkoja vagabunda(Poplar Vagabond Aphid)

Mordwilkoja is a of gall-forming aphids in the Aphididae, Pemphiginae. in this genus induce galls on plants and exhibit defensive against . The genus has been used as an outgroup in molecular studies of social behavior evolution in related genera.

Mordwilkoja by (c) Thomas Koffel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Koffel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Mordwilkoja vagabunda by no rights reserved, uploaded by Adam Kranz. Used under a CC0 license.

Mordwilkoja vagabunda by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Mordwilkoja: //mɔrˈdwilkɔja//

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

Identification

Gall-forming aphids in this can be distinguished from related genera such as Pemphigus by the absence of specialized first-instar soldier nymphs; defensive are instead performed by alatoid nymphs across all instars.

Images

Distribution

Vermont, United States; additional records from the United States (general).

Seasonality

Activity observed in July in Ithaca, New York.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plants; specific dietary details at level unknown.

Host Associations

Populus deltoides - gall Confirmed for M. vagabunda; gall development occurs on this .

Life Cycle

Gall-forming with nymphal stages developing within plant galls; specific details at level not established.

Behavior

Nymphs exhibit antipredator defensive including synchronized, rhythmic leg movements and collective twitching. When attacked by such as pyralid larvae, nymphs use legs to claw while pressing rostra against the attacker, possibly to pierce the . These behaviors may represent altruistic fortress defense strategies that maximize inclusive of the .

Ecological Role

Gall-forming herbivore that induces plant tissue modifications; defensive suggest potential role in protecting colony reproductive output from .

Similar Taxa

PemphigusBoth are gall-forming aphids in tribe Pemphigini, but Pemphigus possess specialized first-instar soldier nymphs for defense, whereas Mordwilkoja uses alatoid nymphs of all instars.
Aphis neriiBoth exhibit synchronized, rhythmic defensive movements against , though Aphis nerii is not a gall-former and belongs to a different lineage.