large daisy aphids

(Uroleucon spp.)

Overview  •  Description  •  Distribution  •  Taxonomy

Overview

Uroleucon is a large genus of medium-sized to large aphids appropriately named large daisy aphids. It occurs in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. There are 226 described species of Uroleucon worldwide, at least 71 in North America north of Mexico, and at least 8 species, almost certainly many more, in Minnesota.

Unlike most aphids, Uroleucon aphids complete their life cycle on a single host. All of the species, with one exception, feed on plants in the Aster (Asteraceae) family. They do not migrate to a secondary plant species.
 
large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 

Uroleucon aphids are specialist feeders, feeding on just one plant species or a few related species. They can often be identified by the plant host species. However, some plants host multiple species of aphids. For instance, there are at least 22 species that feed on goldenrods (Solidago spp.).

Unlike many aphids, Uroleucon aphids are not attended by ants.
Description

Uroleucon aphids are soft-bodied, somewhat pear-shaped, and ⅛″ to 5⁄16″ (4 to 8 mm) long. They may be red, reddish-brown, or blackish-brown. The antennae are about as long as the body. There is a pair of elongated processes (cornicles) near the end of the abdomen.

Distribution

Distribution Map

  

Sources

7, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.
10/27/2024    
Taxonomy

Order

Hemiptera (true bugs, hoppers, aphids, and allies)

Suborder

Sternorrhyncha (plant-parasitic hemipterans)

Infraorder

Aphidomorpha (aphids and allies)

Superfamily

Aphidoidea

Family

Aphididae (aphids)

Subfamily

Aphidinae

Tribe

Macrosiphini
   

Subordinate Taxa

aphid (Uroleucon helianthicola) (?)

bronze-brown dandelion aphid (Uroleucon taraxaci)

brown ambrosia aphid (Uroleucon ambrosiae)

crimson tansy aphid (Uroleucon tanacetii)

dark-tailed thistle aphid (Uroleucon aeneum)

dusky-tailed sunflower aphid (Uroleucon obscuricaudatum)

goldenglow aphid (Uroleucon rudbeckiae)

goldenrod aphid (Uroleucon solidaginis) (?)

harebell aphid (Uroleucon campanulae)

large chicory aphid (Uroleucon cichorii)

large fleabane daisy aphid (Uroleucon erigeronense)

large hawksbeard aphid (Uroleucon grossum)

large knapweed aphid (Uroleucon jaceae)

large hawkweed aphid (Uroleucon obscurum)

large thistle aphid (Uroleucon cirsii)

mouse-ear hawkweed aphid (Uroleucon pilosellae)

Oriental lettuce aphid (Uroleucon formosanum)

red goldenrod aphid (Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum)

red yarrow aphid (Uroleucon achilleae)

sowthistle aphid (Uroleucon sonchi)

yellow-legged knapweed aphid (Uroleucon jaceicola)
   

Synonyms

 
   

Common Names

large daisy aphids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Alfredo Colon
large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)   large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
     
large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)   large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
     
large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)   large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
     
large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)   large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
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Other Videos

Red Aphid (Aphididae: Uroleucon) on Plant Stem
Carl Barrentine
About

Aug 9, 2010

Note the pattern of the leaf miner as well as the small insects on the leaf gleaning honeydew dropped by feeding aphids (or are these not insects, but mottled aphid exuviae?) . Photographed at the Turtle River State Park, North Dakota (09 August 2010).

Uroleucon aphids on sunflower leaf
brian0918
About

Jun 7, 2019

Uroleucon sp. aphids have infested the leaves of our Ox Eye Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides)

 

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Alfredo Colon
6/11/2024

Location: Albany, NY

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Laura G
6/12/2023

Location: Asheville NC

These all of a sudden appeared in my yard & are all over my back porch & house and of course along the fence vines. My neighbors say they don’t recognize these pests??? I’m new to the area, I know I didn’t bring on my plants from Florida. I’ve been here 6 weeks & they are just now appearing. Adults, strange or maybe I have the wrong pest. They look Exactly like the picture though 🤞🏻

Chris DiDio
6/12/2023

Location: Rochester, NY

I have a very large amount of these aphids on the Golden rod in my yard. My location is Clifford Ave Rochester N.Y. 14609

Cheers     

Alfredo Colon
8/5/2022

Location: Albany, NY

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/2/2022

Location: Albany, NY

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/29/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/21/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/13/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/9/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
Alfredo Colon
8/2/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

 large daisy aphid (Uroleucon sp.)
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings

Tiedemann WMA

Vermillion River WMA

Woodbury WMA

 

 

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Created: 6/4/2020

Last Updated:

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