Hyperomyzus lactucae (Linnaeus, 1758)

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 : 

• Aphelinus abdominalis
• Aphidius ervi
• Aphidius sonchi
• Ephedrus plagiator
• Lysiphlebus fabarum
• Praon volucre
• Praon athenaeum