Rhopalomyzus lonicerae

Honeysuckle-grass aphid

Description

Rhopalomyzus lonicerae, commonly known as the honeysuckle-grass aphid, is a species with a complex life cycle that alternates between honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) as its primary host and grasses (Poaceae), especially reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), as secondary hosts. The aphid overwinters as eggs on honeysuckle, with hatching occurring in early spring. The fundatrices induce leaf rolling, forming yellow to reddish pseudogalls on the undersides of leaves. The alate offspring migrate to grasses, where they form large colonies of pale cream-colored apterous individuals.

This aphid is distributed throughout Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia. It thrives in both natural and urban environments, often forming dense populations on its hosts. Infestations lead to deformations of honeysuckle leaves, reducing the ornamental value of affected plants. On grasses, the aphids cover the leaves in high numbers, potentially reducing photosynthetic efficiency. While not a primary killer of host plants, repeated infestations can weaken them, making them more susceptible to environmental stress and secondary pathogens.