The lupin aphid,Macrosiphon albifrons,is a North American species that was first noticed in the UK in 1981 and is now widespread. It overwinters on buds of lupins,and in Spring quickly builds up to large populations as wingless females give birth. Aphids feed on the sap of their host plant,and large infestations can cause plants to wilt and produce flowers of reduced size and number. M albifrons is a large aphid covered in wax,and is not attractive to the usual predators of aphids,including labybirds. In Summer,adult develop wings and disperse to establish new colonies on nearby lupin plants.The picture shows a heavy infestation of M. albifrons on a developing flower stem of the tree lupin,Lupinus arboreus. The flowers are abnormally few in number and widely spaced along the stem due to the presence of the aphids | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Bildgröße: | 3413 px × 5120 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |