Leaf-galling

Guides

• Phylloxera

  phylloxeras

  Phylloxera is a genus of tiny, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, most notably the grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae), which devastated European vineyards in the late 19th century and remains a major threat to viticulture worldwide. Phylloxera species induce characteristic galls on host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. The genus exhibits complex life cycles involving multiple morphological forms, including winged and wingless parthenogenetic generations and a brief sexual generation.

  agricultural-pestgall-formerviticultureinvasive-speciesparthenogenesispolymorphismSternorrhynchaPhylloxeridaeroot-feedingleaf-gallingeconomic-entomologyintegrated-pest-managementresistant-rootstockgrafting19th-century-agricultural-disasterpollution-bioindicator