Species: Dogwood Aphid (Anoecia corni)
Family: Aphids (APHIDIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: One Sighting
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Aphids (APHIDIDAE)
Aphids form a very large insect family of sap-suckers. They are generally considered to be a pest although in their abundance they provide nourishment for countless larger insects and birds. They are soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects. Aphids are usually green, but can be red, brown and even white.
C. Dogwood Aphid (Anoecia corni)
This aphid has intriguing black and white abdominal markings, as well as distinct, dark blotches (stigma) on its wings. It is unusual in that it reproduces parthenogenetically (asexually) without fertilisation.
It is seen in summer and autumn, and is common.
The winter eggs are usually produced on Dogwood (which we've not seen in the cemetery), so it is likely to have been brought in at a later stage in its life cycle, where on grasses in summer it is tended by ants.
Images
Dogwood Aphid
This aphid has intriguing black and white abdominal markings, as well as distinct, dark blotches (stigma) on its wings.
(Photo credit: Stuart MA Ball.)
