Insect keys »  Aphid key

Illustrated key to the aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) found on lettuce in Australia

This key has been written to help identify specimens of Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley), the currant lettuce aphid, and monitor its spread in Australia. The opportunity has been taken to provide a means by which other species of aphids found on lettuce in Australia can be differentiated. 

Warning: Winged aphids of many species may alight on any plant and attempt to feed. This key includes only those species known to feed and breed on lettuce or those particularly associated with lettuce. Also, in Australia, male aphids are very rarely produced and adult females occur as winged or wingless forms. Care needs to be taken to ensure that nymphs are not confused with wingless adult females. Many characters that can be used to define species as adults do not work with nymphs. Adult aphids have a distinct process (the cauda) differentiated at the hind end of the body. Aphid nymphs usually have the posterior end of the body produced to a point but no distinct cauda is developed. 

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Credits

Key prepared by Murray J. Fletcher, Orange Agricultural Institute.

Advisory input from Dr Victor Eastop, the Natural History Museum, London, is gratefully acknowledged.

First published: 7 November 2005.