Aphis gossypii
Melon aphid
Cotton aphid
The body length of adult Aphis gossypii apterae ranges from 0.9 to 1.8 mm. Wingless females of Aphis gossypii are usually blackish green or dark green mottled with lighter. In hot conditions or when crowded they are smaller, and these dwarf forms are a very pale The cauda is variable in colour from quite pale to dusky to quite dark but it is usually paler than the siphunculi. See more information via the link below.
Good and detailed photographs required. It may be necessary to examine the specimen under magnification.
This species is highly polyphagous and does not usually host alternate, reproducing all year round on its chosen host.
May be encountered all year round and will utilise various greenhouse plants.
In temperate climates Aphis gossypii is considered an important pest of greenhouse crops such as cucurbits, and ornamentals such as Begonia.
True status in Britain is difficult to determine due to lack of records.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
David Nicholls
Kibworth, Wistow Road Roundabout verge
31 July 2022
David Nicholls
Kibworth, Wistow Road Roundabout verge
31 July 2022
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Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Bugs
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Hemiptera
- Family:
- Aphididae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 31/07/2022 (Nicholls, David)
- Last record:
- 31/07/2022 (Nicholls, David)
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% of records within its species group
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