Myzocallis asclepiadis
This record describes Myzocallis asclepiadis (species). Recorded family: Aphididae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pale green-yellow; later in the season, may have orange spots or be entirely orange. Even later in the season, wingless ones with more numerous dark spots or small plates appear, presumably they are sexual neotene adults. over the course of the summer, the aphid changes color, from a pale yellow-green to having orange spots. Typically feeds in a dispersed pattern on the underside of lower leaves, is highly mobile, and only produces winged adults (?), see Life Cycle.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Aphidoidea
- Family
- Aphididae (Aphids)
- Subfamily
- Calaphidinae
- Tribe
- Panaphidini
- Genus
- Myzocallis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca )
Life History
Several generation a year. Parthenogenetic. Summer adults or virginoparae (the female clonal aphids of the summer) are always winged. It is possible that aestivating nymphs are produced "whose bodies are covered and fringed with minute plates giving them the appearance of a tortoise." After aestivation and triggered by low temperatures, these nymphs mature into 'neotene' (i.e., wingless) sexual adults that produce the eggs for overwintering. (Tobias Zuest, personal communication, Beatriz Moisset)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Myzocallis asclepiadis. 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 Myzocallis asclepiadis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Myzocallis asclepiadis
What is Myzocallis asclepiadis?
Myzocallis asclepiadis is a species in the family Aphididae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Myzocallis asclepiadis?
Pale green-yellow; later in the season, may have orange spots or be entirely orange. Even later in the season, wingless ones with more numerous dark spots or small plates appear, presumably they are sexual neotene adults.
What does Myzocallis asclepiadis eat?
The diet of the Myzocallis asclepiadis includes Common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ).
What is the life cycle of a Myzocallis asclepiadis?
Several generation a year. Parthenogenetic. Summer adults or virginoparae (the female clonal aphids of the summer) are always winged. It is possible that aestivating nymphs are produced whose bodies are covered and fringed with minute plates giving them the appearance of a tortoise. After aestivation and triggered by low temperatures, these nymphs mature into 'neotene' (i.e., wingless) sexual adults that produce the eggs for overwintering. (Tobias Zuest, personal communication, Beatriz Moisset)