oleander aphid
(Aphis nerii)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | not listed |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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Oleander aphid is a small, common, and widespread aphid. It occurs on every continent except Greenland and Antarctica. It is common in Minnesota. It is found in fields and gardens from June to October. In Minnesota it feeds mostly on milkweeds but occasionally on other plants. When feeding on milkweeds it sequesters cardiac glycosides, which makes it distasteful or even poisonous to predators. Females do not lay eggs but give birth to live female larvae. This allows large colonies to develop rapidly. Males do not occur in the wild. Adults are orangish-yellow, somewhat pear-shaped, and 1⁄16″to ⅛″ (1.5 to 2.6 mm) long not including the wings when present. They are usually wingless. Winged (alate) adults occur only in conditions of overcrowding or when the host plant is deteriorating with age (senescing). There is a pair of elongated processes (cornicles) near the end of the abdomen. The antennae, cornicles, legs, and tip of the abdomen are black. On winged females, the top of the head, and the upper side of the thorax are also black. The wings have dark veins and are much longer than the body. |
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Size |
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Total length: 1⁄16″to ⅛″ (1.5 to 2.6 mm) |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Fields and gardens. Milkweeds and occasionally other plants. |
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Biology |
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Season |
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June to October |
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Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Nymph Hosts |
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Adult Food |
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Plant juices |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 9/18/2020 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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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 |
Aphidini | ||
| Subtribe | Aphidina | ||
Genus |
Aphis | ||
Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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milkweed aphid oleander aphid |
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Visitor Photos |
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Milkweed Aphid Nature Walks with Mark Fraser nwwmark |
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About
Aug 8, 2009 The breathtaking "Milkweed Aphid" represents one of the most stunning examples of symbiosis in the natural world. Symbiosis is when different species have a mutual relationship that is actually beneficial to each. These aphids are like miniature cows, grazing on the green of the Milkweed seed pods and leaves. They behave no different then a milking cow would do in its own pasture grazing and raising their young. Just like a cow, there is a farmer, that actually "milks" the aphids! Watching this reminds us just how truly connected to the natural world all of us really are. It's as if you were flying over a farmers field and watching the daily goings on. A truly remarkable species! I'm Mark Fraser you can find me at http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org, lets enjoy and admire the amazing Milkweed aphids! Did you know? Milkweed Aphids produce food for the ants so the ants will protect them Ants will defend the Aphids from any insect who is trying to eat them There are tiny predators of aphids that "look like them" to fool the farmers |
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| Aphis Nerii Lee Lewis |
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About
Aug 14, 2008 This is probably the most STUPID video I ever made, but here it is anyway. I was fascinated by the bright yellow aphids in my yard. I learned they are "Aphis Nerii" or "Milkweed Aphid" ... or "Oleander Aphid." The one clip of the winged female made me think of Darth Vader and the Imperial March. And this is the result! |
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| Aphis nerii (Milkweed Aphid) on Narrowleaf Milkweed stem msbrunell |
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About
Jul 16, 2020 These aphids are infesting my milkweed plants. Here are some close-ups shots. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/3/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/2/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 9/18/2020
Last Updated: