Multipartite-symbiosis
Guides
Sipha maydis
Hedgehog Grain Aphid
Sipha maydis, commonly known as the hedgehog grain aphid, is a globally distributed pest of cereal crops and wild grasses. Native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, it was first detected in the United States in 2007 and has since expanded across the Southwest and Rocky Mountain states. The aphid feeds on phloem of Poaceae, with documented hosts including wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, and over 50 plant species worldwide. It reproduces parthenogenetically, with optimal development at 20–25°C. S. maydis is a vector of barley yellow dwarf virus and can cause leaf yellowing, rolling, and desiccation leading to yield reduction.