Smynthurodes betae Westwood, 1849

Morphological characters

1.6-2.9 mm.
Apterous: globular, yellowish white, covered with wax, covered with fine hairs.
Alate: antennae short, cornicles absent, cauda semi-circular, wing withe medial vein unbranched.

Life cycles

Dioecious holocyclic on Mediterranean Rim.
Anholocyclic elsewhere.

Host plants

Primary host: Pistacia atlantica and P. mutica (pistachio).
Secondary hosts: Fabaceae: Phaseolus (haricot), Vicia (broad bean), Solanaceae: Lycopersicon (tomato), Chenopodiaceae: Beta (beet), Brassicaceae: Brassica (cabbage), Asteraceae: Cynara scolymus (artichoke), Tragopogon (salsify).

Particular characteristics

S. betae is often visited by ants and colonies can overwinter in ants’ nests.

Agronomic impact

S. betae is rare and not often encountered. It colonizes roots and collet  of diverse market-garden and wild plants.