Macrosiphum rosae

Large rose aphid ( Macrosiphum rosae )

The Great rose aphid ( Macrosiphum rosae ) is a aphid of the genus Macrosiphum the family of the aphids ( Aphididae ). It feeds on the sap of various species of roses ( Rosa spp.), Cardoons ( Dipsaceae ) and valerian plants ( Valerianeae ).

Features

The Great rose aphid has a 3-4 mm long, spindle-shaped body with a black head. It comes in two colors, green or pink, looking on. The black sensors are usually about as long as the body or slightly longer. The two approximately 1 mm long siphons ( Siphunculi ) from which in times of stress or threat- a secretion is discarded, are black and about twice as long as the bright tail ( cauda ) at the end of the abdomen. The legs ( femurs ) are dark brown or black in at least a quarter of their length.

Lifestyle and dissemination

In the fall, the Great rose aphid is often found in masses on the shoot tips of roses. Here she takes off black eggs, which hatch wingless females in spring. In rapid succession, several generations develop by parthenogenesis and live births. With the appearance of winged individuals, male and female, a change of host on Dipsacaceae done ( widow flowers, etc.) and valerian plants. In late summer the aphids migrate back to roses.

The Great rose aphid is distributed worldwide.