Phylloxera
Guides
Conotrachelus elegans
pecan gall curculio
Conotrachelus elegans, commonly known as the pecan gall curculio, is a true weevil (family Curculionidae) found in North America. The species is specifically associated with galls formed by the hickory leaf stem gall phylloxera (Phylloxera caryaecaulis) on hickory and pecan trees. Unlike many weevils that directly damage plant tissues, this species has been observed feeding on existing insect-induced galls rather than causing gall formation itself.
Daktulosphaira
grape phylloxera
Daktulosphaira is a genus of phylloxerid insects within Hemiptera, containing the economically devastating grape phylloxera D. vitifoliae. Members are small, aphid-like insects that induce distinctive galls on grapevines (Vitis spp.) and are obligate specialists on this host genus. The genus is notable for extremely high transcriptional plasticity when transferred between host genotypes, with over one-third of expressed genes showing differential expression. D. vitifoliae exhibits both root-feeding and leaf-galling forms, with complex life cycles involving parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction. The genus is native to eastern North America but has become a global pest of commercial viticulture.
Daktulosphaira vitifoliae
Grape Phylloxera
Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, commonly known as grape phylloxera, is a minute aphid-like insect in the family Phylloxeridae that is the most destructive pest of commercial grapevines worldwide. Native to eastern North America, it was accidentally introduced to Europe in the 1860s, where it devastated Vitis vinifera vineyards and nearly destroyed the wine industry. The insect has a complex life cycle involving both root-feeding and leaf-galling forms, with high transcriptional plasticity enabling rapid adaptation to different host grapevine genotypes. It reproduces parthenogenetically for most generations but can produce sexual forms and overwintering eggs under certain conditions.
Phylloxera caryaefallax
pecan leaf phylloxera
Phylloxera caryaefallax, commonly known as the pecan leaf phylloxera, is a small, soft-bodied, gall-forming insect closely related to aphids. It is a significant pest of pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis), causing distinctive galls to form exclusively on leaf tissue. Unlike the related pecan phylloxera (Phylloxera devastatrix), which attacks shoots and nuts and causes more severe economic damage, this species is generally less destructive though heavy infestations can cause defoliation. The insect has a complex life cycle involving multiple generations per season and overwinters as eggs protected within the bodies of deceased females.
Phylloxera caryaeglobuli
hickory phylloxeran, hickory phylloxera
Phylloxera caryaeglobuli is a small, soft-bodied, gall-forming insect closely related to aphids. It induces distinctive globular galls on hickory leaves and petioles, particularly on mockernut hickory. The species has a complex life cycle involving parthenogenetic reproduction within galls and winged dispersal stages. It overwinters as eggs deposited on bark or near old galls.
Phylloxera caryaescissa
pecan leaf phylloxera, hickory phylloxeran
Phylloxera caryaescissa is a tiny, soft-bodied insect closely related to aphids that forms galls on hickory and pecan leaves. The species survives winter as eggs in bark crevices, with nymphs emerging during spring bud break to feed on new growth. Unlike the more destructive pecan phylloxera (Phylloxera devastatrix), this species attacks leaf tissue only and does not damage shoots or nuts. Extensive infestations may cause some defoliation but typically do not significantly reduce yield.
Phylloxera chippokesiensis
Phylloxera chippokesiensis is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, it induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on host tissues through chemical secretions that redirect plant development. The species is named for Chippokes Plantation in Virginia, indicating an association with specific geographic or host plant contexts. As with congeners, it likely has a complex life cycle involving parthenogenetic reproduction within galls and seasonal transitions between winged and wingless forms.
Phylloxera conica
hickory phylloxeran, hickory phylloxera
Phylloxera conica is a gall-forming insect closely related to aphids that induces distinctive globular galls on hickory leaves and petioles. The insect overwinters as eggs on bark or near old galls, with nymphs emerging during bud break to feed on new growth. Their feeding stimulates abnormal plant cell development, creating hollow galls that provide shelter and food. The species has a complex life cycle involving multiple generations, with winged forms eventually dispersing to lay overwintering eggs. Heavy infestations can reduce tree vigor and nut production in hickory trees.
Phylloxera crypta
Phylloxera crypta is a gall-forming insect closely related to aphids, known to induce distinctive galls on hickory trees (Carya species). Like other phylloxerans, this species manipulates plant tissue development through chemical secretions during feeding, creating protective structures that house developing nymphs. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving multiple generations and both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction phases.
Phylloxera deplanata
pecan leaf phylloxera, pecan phylloxera
Phylloxera deplanata is a tiny, soft-bodied insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. It is a significant pest of pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis), causing the formation of galls on leaves, shoots, and nuts. The species overwinters as eggs in bark crevices and emerges in spring to feed on new growth, inducing abnormal plant tissue development. Unlike the pecan leaf phylloxera (which forms galls on leaves only), this species attacks shoots and nuts, making it more economically damaging. Heavy infestations can reduce yield, impair tree vitality, and diminish subsequent production.
Phylloxera echinus
Phylloxera echinus is a species of gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, this species induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. The specific host associations and gall morphology of P. echinus have not been well documented in available literature. The genus Phylloxera contains several economically important species, most notably the grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae), though P. echinus itself appears to be poorly studied.
Phylloxera falsostium
Phylloxera floridana
Phylloxera floridana is a species of phylloxeran, a small sap-sucking insect in the family Phylloxeridae. Phylloxerans are closely related to aphids and are known for inducing galls on host plants. The genus Phylloxera includes species that are significant agricultural pests, most notably the grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae), though specific information about P. floridana's biology, host associations, and economic impact appears to be limited in available literature.
Phylloxera killianae
Phylloxera killianae is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, it induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on host tissues through chemical secretions during feeding. The species overwinters as eggs in bark crevices, with nymphs emerging in spring to feed on new growth and stimulate gall formation. Specific host associations and detailed biology of P. killianae remain poorly documented compared to economically significant relatives such as the grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) and pecan phylloxera species.
Phylloxera myristica
Phylloxera myristica is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, this species induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant development. The insect develops within these protective structures, which provide both shelter and nutrition. Specific host associations and detailed biology for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Phylloxera paludis
Phylloxera paludis is a species of phylloxeran insect in the family Phylloxeridae, order Hemiptera. Phylloxerans are small, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects closely related to aphids. Members of the genus Phylloxera are known for inducing gall formation on host plants through chemical secretions that alter plant tissue development. The specific epithet "paludis" suggests an association with marsh or wetland habitats, though detailed ecological studies of this particular species appear limited in the available literature.
Phylloxera russellae
Phylloxera russellae is a small, soft-bodied insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, it induces gall formation on host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. The species was described by Stoetzel in 1981. Members of the genus Phylloxera are known for complex life cycles involving multiple generations and forms, including winged and wingless morphs.
Phylloxera spinosa
Phylloxera spinosa is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. This species induces distinctive galls on its host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. Like other phylloxerans, it has a complex life cycle involving multiple generations and winged dispersal forms. The species was described by Shimer in 1869 and is currently accepted as valid.
Phylloxera stoetzelae
Phylloxera stoetzelae is a species of phylloxeran, a group of tiny, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects closely related to aphids. Members of the genus Phylloxera are known for inducing galls on host plants through chemical secretions that stimulate abnormal plant tissue growth. The species was named in honor of entomologist Mark Stoetzel. Like other phylloxerans, it likely completes a complex life cycle involving both parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction phases, with overwintering eggs hatching in spring to initiate gall formation on new growth.