H. lactucae

Hyperomyzus lactucae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Blackcurrant-sowthistle aphid
Hyperomyzus lactucae : adulte aptère et larviposition
Hyperomyzus lactucae : adulte ailé
Hyperomyzus lactucae : colonie
Hyperomyzus lactucae : larve de syrphe

Morphological characters

2.0-2.7 mm.
Apterous: yellowish green, glossy, cornicles quite strongly swollen in middle.
Alate: green with dark abdominal patch, antennae long and dark, cornicles swollen and slightly pigmented, cauda pale, leg articulations dark.

See identification file

Life cycles

Dioecious holocyclic.

Host plants

Primary hosts: Ribes (blackcurant, redcurrant).
Secondary hosts: Asteraceae: Sonchus (sowthistles), Lactuca (lettuce), Chicorium (chicory and endive).

Agronomic impact

The presence of H. lactucae on its primary host (Ribes) causes yellowing of leaves. In itself it causes little harm on its secondary host, however it can transmit the non-persistent lettuce mosaic virus (LMV).

Natural enemies

Colonies are often restricted if predators are (see photo above)

Parasitoids : 

In this folder

Modification date: 22 May 2024 | Publication date: 01 October 2010 | By: Evelyne Turpeau, Maurice Hullé, Bernard Chaubet