can anyone confirm and name please

the naturelover · #1 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 09:34 PM

I'm presuming this lovely is laying eggs. am i correct and what is it called please. found on the underside of oak leaves.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 09:39 PM

Evening TN,

It's a winged male Aphid, internally-parasitised by a wasp possibly from the Praon or Discritulus genera.

Take care,

Jason

the naturelover · #3 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 09:50 PM

My word that has shook me

As I say the more i study the less i find I know many thanks tn

jaguarondi · #4 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 10:06 AM

From the cornicles I'd say the aphid is a Drepanosiphum species, probably D. platanoidis, the very common sycamore aphid, that has just succumbed whilst exploring a nearby oak. However, there is a D. aceris. I don't know how Jason has decided it's a male - I could learn something here.

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 10:18 AM

I've heard it's only males that are winged, with the intention they can travel between groups of females to mate.

It's not a group I've taken much notice of, so I've probably over-looked the obvious. You seem to be quite 'up' on aphids so I doubt it's correct if you didn't know!

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 10:25 AM

I've just looked at the third image, I hadn't last night, assuming it to be three angles of the aphid. These are unrelated, and are a type of Gall made by a Cynipid wasp.

jaguarondi · #7 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I've heard it's only males that are winged, with the intention they can travel between groups of females to mate.

It's not a group I've taken much notice of, so I've probably over-looked the obvious. You seem to be quite 'up' on aphids so I doubt it's correct if you didn't know!

Hi Jason, no, most winged aphids are females but it's about this time of year that males start to appear (in those species that have them - not all do) and I thought maybe that's why you suggested it. It's because they're entering the sexual phase of their life cycle prior to moving on to their winter host. Males tend to be darker around the cauda (tail), have fuller abdominal patches and have more knobbly antennae - from what I can remember, but it's over 20 years since I worked on aphids.