oleander aphid

(Aphis nerii)

Conservation Status
IUCN Red List

not listed

NatureServe

not listed

Minnesota

not listed

 
oleander aphid
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 
Description

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 116to (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.

 

Size

Total length: 116to (1.5 to 2.6 mm)

 

Similar Species

 
Habitat

Fields and gardens. Milkweeds and occasionally other plants.

Biology

Season

June to October

 

Behavior

 

 

Life Cycle

 

 

Nymph Hosts

 

 

Adult Food

Plant juices

Distribution

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 29, 30, 82, 83.

6/11/2024    
     

Occurrence

Common

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

Aphidini

Subtribe

Aphidina

Genus

Aphis

   

Subordinate Taxa

 

   

Synonyms

Aphis calotropidis

Aphis foveolata

Aphis gomophorocarpi

Aphis gomphoricarpi

Aphis lutescens

Aphis neriastri

Aphis nigripes

Aphis paolii

Cerosipha nerii

Cryptosiphum nerii

Myzus asclepiadis

Myzus nerii

Siphonophora leptadeniae

   

Common Names

milkweed aphid

oleander aphid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor Photos
 

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Kristi

short-tailed aphideater and oleander aphid  

 

Found on common milkweed at our home, with an abundance of orange aphids.

 

 

Alfredo Colon

short-tailed aphideater and oleander aphid   oleander aphid
     
oleander aphid    
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
   

 

   

 

 

Camera

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slideshow

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Other Videos

Milkweed Aphid Nature Walks with Mark Fraser
nwwmark

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

Aphis Nerii
Lee Lewis

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!

Aphis nerii (Milkweed Aphid) on Narrowleaf Milkweed stem
msbrunell

About

Jul 16, 2020

These aphids are infesting my milkweed plants. Here are some close-ups shots.

 

Camcorder

Visitor Sightings
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 

This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.

Kristi
6/10/2024

Location: Rochester, MN

Found on common milkweed at our home, with an abundance of orange aphids.

short-tailed aphideater and oleander aphid
Alfredo Colon
8/12/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

short-tailed aphideater and oleander aphid

Alfredo Colon
8/3/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

oleander aphid
Alfredo Colon
8/2/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

oleander aphid
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings

 

 

 

Binoculars

 

Created: 9/18/2020

Last Updated:

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