M. pyraria

Melanaphis pyraria (Passerini, 1861)

Pear-grass aphid

Melanaphis pyraria : adulte aptère, larviposition
Melanaphis pyraria : adulte ailé
Melanaphis pyraria : colonie
Melanaphis pyraria : dégât sur poirier

Morphological characters

1.3-2.1 mm.
Apterous: brown, blackish.
Alate: dark brown to black, abdomen with stripes, antennae brown, cornicles very short, straight and pigmented; cauda pigmented, short, same length as cornicles.

Life cycles

Dioecious holocyclic.

Host plants

Primary host: Pyrus communis (pear).
Secondary hosts: Poaceae: Triticum (wheat), Poa (bluegrass), Holcus (soft-grass)...

Particular characteristics

M. pyraria occurs usually on the underside of leaves.
This species is visited by ants.

Agronomic impact

M. pyraria is considered quite harmless for orchards because it occurs infrequently.
Its presence does however lead to yellowing and very tight transverse rolling of the leaves.

Natural enemies

Parasitoids :
  • Ephedrus persicae