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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

Dioecious holocyclic.

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

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).

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