Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid
Cinara pilicornis
This record describes Cinara pilicornis (species). Recorded family: Aphididae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Apterae are either orange-brown or greyish-green Introduced from the Palearctic, 1912
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Aphidoidea
- Family
- Aphididae (Aphids)
- Subfamily
- Lachninae
- Tribe
- Eulachnini
- Genus
- Cinara (Giant Conifer Aphids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Picea spp, also Tsuga heterophylla
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Hartig
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Cinara pilicornis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Claude Pilon; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Joshua Stuart Rose
Frequently Asked Questions About Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid
What is Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid?
Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid (Cinara pilicornis) is a species in the family Aphididae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid?
BL 2.1-4.7 mm.
How do you identify Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid?
Apterae are either orange-brown or greyish-green
What does Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid eat?
The diet of the Spruce Shoot Giant-aphid includes Picea spp, also Tsuga heterophylla.