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Database of Insects and their Food Plants

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Home of the Database of Insects and their Food Plants Family   (Aphidoidea) Sub Family   Description   the superfamily of the aphids Background to Family   The aphids reach their greatest richness in temperate regions, and are one of the most speciose herbivore groups in Great Britain. Using piercing stylets, they mainly tap the vascular systems of angiosperms, but also feed on gymnosperms (especially conifers), ferns, and mosses; feeding sites include leaves, roots and bark. Aphids produce honey dew as a sweet waste product of their sap diet. This is often provided to ants in exchange for protection from natural enemies, and forms the basis of a symbiotic relationship in many species. Aphids display numerous adaptations to herbivory. The most important are complex life-cycles and the telescoping of generations through parthogenesis and live-bearing (viviparity). Unsurprisingly, there are many serious pests of ornamental plants, and forestry and cereal crops. Damage is caused by direct feeding and disease transmission.     No. taxa in DBIF   _ No. interactions   _ % interactions with British data   _ No. records   _ % taxa with British data   _ Notes   Data currently unassessed by a specialist for changes in nomenclature, new species to the British list, new interactions, errors in original sources, and misspellings.; ; Notes on Sources   Most recent source   Below is a list of all sources for this family / sub-family contained within DBIF. Click on source name for a list of all records for this source.