Sitobion phyllanthi

Natural history and identification

This small plant-feeding aphid has olive-green wingless adults, a dark head, and dark dorsal markings; reported body length is 1.5–2.1 mm. Published host records include Phyllanthus, with records under the synonym Sitobion adgnatum also involving Breynia and Euphorbia. These overseas records describe its known host associations, rather than a confirmed Kauaʻi host list. The aphid reference explicitly reports its life cycle as unknown. The Hawaiian introduction record documents presence on several islands, so it is not a Kauaʻi endemic.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2003; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Mo, Oa.

Evidence limits

The cited observations describe the evidence currently available for this account. They do not establish a complete life history or a measured current Kauaʻi population trend.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Sitobion phyllanthi

Family

Aphididae

Order

Hemiptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

This small plant-feeding aphid has olive-green wingless adults, a dark head, and dark dorsal markings; reported body length is 1.5–2.1 mm.

Sources and further reading

• Peer-reviewed alien-fauna update
• Natural history and identification — species source