| Artichoke root aphid |
| Protrama radicis (Kaltenbach) |
| Bugs |
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MAIZE
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| Description: |
| Adult: 2,8 - 3,0 mm long; body dirty white to pale brownish - green, and covered with a white powder, globe - shaped; compound eyes large; siphunculi very broad and flattened; cauda forming a semicircle; colonies mostly consisting of apterae, winged forms rarely dispersing to give rise to new colonies. |
| Biology: |
| An autoecious species living exclusively on roots and very common on the roots of thistle (Carduus, Cirisium, etc.), chicory (Cichorium) and other Compositae, especially artichoke. This aphid is protected by ants of the genus Lasius which feed on the excreted honeydew. |
| Damage: |
| A species very harmful to artichoke; colonies on roots greatly reduce the development of the plant and the size of the heads. |
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Photos: 2 |
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