| This key has been written to help identify specimens of Nasonovia
ribisnigri (Mosley), the currant lettuce aphid, and monitor its spread
in Australia. The opportunity has been taken to provide a means by which
other species of aphids found on lettuce in Australia can be differentiated.
Warning: Winged aphids of many species may alight on any plant and attempt
to feed. This key includes only those species known to feed and breed on
lettuce or those particularly associated with lettuce. Also, in Australia,
male aphids are very rarely produced and adult females occur as winged
or wingless forms. Care needs to be taken to ensure that nymphs are not
confused with wingless adult females. Many characters that can be used
to define species as adults do not work with nymphs. Adult aphids have
a distinct process (the cauda) differentiated at the hind end of the body.
Aphid nymphs usually have the posterior end of the body produced to a point
but no distinct cauda is developed. |
