Classification
Aphidinae: Macrosiphini
Diagnosis
Dark green aphid with dark eyes, antennae and siphunculi uniformly dark, cauda is pale. Antennae longer than body. Antennal segment III shorter to processus terminalis. Siphunculi 2-2.5 times longer than cauda. Cauda with six hairs.
The aphid infests the lower surface of leaves and remains confined to midrib, occasionally coming on the stem or branches. It is found in close association with Schoutedenia emblica (Patel and Kulkarni). It occurs in small numbers in the thick colonies of S. emblica, which makes it difficult to detect. However, on closer observation, S. takahashi has longer legs and is more mobile than S. emblica.
Host plant(s)
Euphorbiaceae: Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
Measurements
Aptera: Length of body 1.76, width 0.94; antennae 2.27, segments III: IV: V: VI 0.52: 0.41: 0.34: (0.14+0.76); u.r.s. 0.09; h.t.2 0.11; siphunculus 0.54; cauda 0.23.
Alata: Length of body 1.93, width 0.75; antennae 2.53, segments III: IV: V: VI 0.50: 0.42: 0.42: (0.17+0.82); u.r.s. 0.08; h.t.2 0.10; siphunculus 0.48; cauda 0.21.
Seasonal occurrence
January-March.