Adelges (Dreyfusia) piceae (Ratzeburg, 1843)

Albrecht, Anders Christian, 2017, Illustrated identification guide to the Nordic aphids feeding on Conifers (Pinophyta) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Sternorhyncha, Aphidomorpha), European Journal of Taxonomy 338, pp. 1-160 : 21

Adelges (Dreyfusia) piceae (Ratzeburg, 1843)

Fig. 47

Diagnosis

Similar to A. merkeri but neosistens with central areas of wax pore plates on meso- and metathoracic spinal sclerites often more-or-less triangular, each with 3–6 pits. Total number of pits on 10 central areas 18–59, usually less than 40. The characters distinguishing A. piceae and A. merkeri are variable, and the identification requires several specimens ( Blackman & Eastop 2006; Heie 2004). Monoecious, anholocyclic on Abies . Found on trunk and branches. Not ant-attended.

Recorded hosts

Pinaceae : Abies alba , amabilis , balsamea , concolor , lasiocarpa , nordmanniana , sibirica , spp.

Distribution

D.

B7 (B4) Antennae 6-segmented. In colonies between needles of young shoots................................. ............................................................................................................ Mindarus Koch, 1857

Figures

Fig. 47. Adelges (Dreyfusia) piceae (Ratzeburg, 1843). A. Adult sistens (after Börner 1908, redrawn and modified). B–C. Hibernating first instar nymph (neosistens). B. Habitus, showing arrangement of sclerites and wax gland pits (after Schneider-Orelli 1947, modified and redrawn). C. Spinal sclerites of meso- and metathorax, left side (after Pschorn-Walcher & Zwölfer 1958, modified and redrawn).