Classification

Aphidinae: Macrosiphini

Diagnosis

The aphids are dark reddish brown, brown, or black, found inside the folds of the central leaf. Alates can be easily distinguished by very dark and unusual wing veins. Antennae as long as body. Processus terminalis almost 6x as long as base of last antennal segment. Siphunculi 3x longer than cauda. Cauda with 3-5 hairs. Alates usually appear after showers.

Distribution

Widespread through all tropical and subtropical parts of the world, Europe, North America, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal).

Host plant(s)

Araceae: Alocasia sp., Colocasia antiquorum Schott.; Zingiberaceae: Alpinia versicolor K.Schum., Curcuma sp., Eletteria cardamomum L.; Marantaceae: Maranta zebrina Sims, Maranta sp.; Musaceae: Musa sapientum L.

Measurements

Aptera: Length of body 1.76, width 1.44; antennae 1.73, segments III: IV: V: VI 0.32: 0.21: 0.24: (0.11+0.65); u.r.s. 0.15; h.t.2 0.95; siphunculus 0.32; cauda 0.10.
Alata: Length of body 1.68, width 0.91; antennae 1.30, segments III: IV: V: VI 0.36: 0.27: 0.23: (0.10+0.69); u.r.s. 0.13; h.t.2 0.09; siphunculus 0.31; cauda 0.12.

Seasonal occurrence

December-March.

Natural enemies

Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Anisolemnia dilatata (F.), Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.), Coccinella transversalis F., Cryptogonus orbiculus (Gyllenhal), Pseudaspidimerus trinotatus (Thunberg), Scymnus (Pullus) latemaculatus Motschulsky, S. (P.) pyrocheilus Mulsant, S. (S.) nubilus Mulsant.

Diptera: Syrphidae: Dideopsis aegrota (F.), Paragus indicus Brunetti, Ischiodon scutellaris (F.).