Mealy Grass Root Aphid
Aploneura lentisci
Aploneura lentisci are gall-creating aphids that create galls on the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus.
The galls are formed exclusively on young shoots of the same year's growth. They appear in late March-April, and grow quickly to attain their maximum size by May. The mature reddish-green galls are pocket-like, often kidney-shaped, formed by invagination of the leaf alongside the mid-rib. The fundatrix inside does not start to reproduce until early June, but there are at least two parthenogenetic generations. The galls open in August-November and, over an extended period, emigrant alatae (1.3-2.3 mm) leave as they become mature. These alatae establish colonies on their secondary host - the roots of grasses.
The galls are formed exclusively on young shoots of the same year's growth. They appear in late March-April, and grow quickly to attain their maximum size by May. The mature reddish-green galls are pocket-like, often kidney-shaped, formed by invagination of the leaf alongside the mid-rib. The fundatrix inside does not start to reproduce until early June, but there are at least two parthenogenetic generations. The galls open in August-November and, over an extended period, emigrant alatae (1.3-2.3 mm) leave as they become mature. These alatae establish colonies on their secondary host - the roots of grasses.