Schizaphis graminum (Rondani, 1852)

Morphological characters

1.3-2.1 mm.
Apterous: elongate, pale green to yellowish green, with a darker green longitudinal line on dorsum; cornicles straight and medium in length.
Alate: pale green, antennae short and processus terminalis long, abdomen without pigmentation, cornicles straight, cylindrical, short and darkened a little at tip, cauda elongate and pale, wing with medial vein once-branched.

See identification file

Life cycles

Monoecious holocyclic.
Certain populations can be anholocyclic in zones with mild climate.

Host plants

Poaceae, crop species: Avena (oats), Hordeum (barley), Triticum (wheat), Sorghum (millet), Zea (maize) and meadow plants: Bromus (brome), Dactylis (cocksfoot), Festuca (fescue) or wild grass species.

Particular characteristics

S. graminum is a highly significant pest on cereal crops in the United States.
It is infrequent in France and present mainly around Mediterranean Rim.

Agronomic impact

S. graminum induces small spots reddish on leaves due to toxicity of its saliva, the leaves dry out, the ears atrophy and abort.
The attacks are characterized by the development of a focus of infestation in the fields.
It is a vector of barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV).

Natural enemies

Parasitoids :

• Aphelinus abdominalis
• Aphelinus asychis
• Aphelinus flavipes
• Aphelinus kurjumov
• Aphelinus toxopteraphidis
• Aphidius ervi
• Aphidius rhopalosiphi
• Aphidius uzbekistanicus
• Diaeretiella rapae
• Ephedrus plagiator
• Praon gallicum
• Praon volucre