R. maidis

Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856)

Corn leaf aphid

Rhopalosiphum maidis : adulte ailé

Morphological characters

1.3-2.9 mm.
Apterous: elongate, bluey green, cornicles and cauda short and dark, purple spots around cornicular insertion.
Alate: body elongate, dark green with black marginal sclerites; antennae short, equal to half length of body, processus terminalis short, cornicles short, dark with slight constriction at tip, cauda short and dark.

See identification file

Life cycles

Anholocyclic in Europe.

Host plants

Poaceae: Zea mays (maize), Sorghum vulgare (millet), Hordum vulgare (barley)...

Particular characteristics

R. maidis is rarely observed in spring.
Populations on maize appear to be restricted to the Mediterranean Rim.

Agronomic impact

R. maidis causes longitudinal rolling of the last growing leaf of maize.
The aphid secretes abundant honeydew where sooty mould develops.
It transmits the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).

Natural enemies

Parasitoids :