Phylloxeroidea
Herrich-Schaeffer, 1854
Family Guides
2- Adelgidae(adelgids)
- Phylloxeridae(phylloxerans)
Phylloxeroidea is a small superfamily of Hemiptera within the infraorder , closely related to aphids. It contains two extant : Adelgidae (pine and spruce aphids) and Phylloxeridae (phylloxerans). The group includes economically significant pests such as the vine phylloxera, which damages grapevines. The superfamily is sister to Aphidoidea.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phylloxeroidea: /fɪloʊksəˈrɔɪdiə/
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Identification
Distinguished from Aphidoidea by the presence of only two extant (Adelgidae and Phylloxeridae) versus the more diverse families. Members share the general aphidomorph body plan of small, soft-bodied sternorrhynchans with , but specific diagnostic features for the superfamily level are not detailed in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Forested environments; associated with main forest-forming trees including conifers and deciduous . Documented from Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula pubescens, and Betula pendula in Northern European studies.
Distribution
Northern Europe (59° to 70° N, 10° to 60° E) including Norway, Southern Karelia, and North European Russia (Murmansk oblast, Republic of Karelia, Arkhangelsk oblast, Vologda oblast, Republic of Komi). Broader distribution includes regions where trees occur.
Host Associations
- Pinus sylvestris - documented in Northern Europe
- Picea abies - documented in Northern Europe
- Betula pubescens - documented in Northern Europe
- Betula pendula - documented in Northern Europe
Human Relevance
Includes vine phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae), a historically devastating pest of grapevines that caused widespread vineyard destruction in Europe during the 19th century.
Similar Taxa
- AphidoideaSister ; traditionally included aphids within Aphidoidea, but Phylloxeroidea is now recognized as distinct superfamily with two versus the more diverse families.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Phylloxeroidea was historically included within Aphidoidea, but is now recognized as a separate superfamily within . The Chermesidae (or 'Chermidae') is now synonymized with Adelgidae.