A new record of Aphis punicae Passerini, 1863 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from Korea

• Aphis punicae Passerini, 1863 is recognized for the first time in Korea.
• Shorter lengths of Ant.IV, Ant.V, and URS and a lower number of hairs on GP
• 2.1%–8.6% genetic differences from congeneric pomegranate feeding aphids

The pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae Passerini, 1863 (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was firstly collected on Punica granatum L. (Lythraceae) in Korea. For accurate species identification of A. punicae, we compared it with four other pomegranate-feeding Aphis species using molecular and morphological characteristics. In the morphometric analysis, A. punicae is distinguished from Aphis gossypii, which is morphologically similar to A. punicae, by shorter lengths of Ant.IV, Ant.V, and URS and a lower number of hairs on GP. In the sequence analysis, A. punicae reveals genetic differences ranging from 2.1% to 2.4% from A. gossypii in COI gene. In this study, we describe apterous and alate viviparous females of A. punicae and present and identification key to the subgenus Aphis on P. granatum.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide