Neoceruaphis viburnicola
Aphids are small pear-shaped insects with thread-like antennae and a pair of tube-like structures (cornicles) on the abdomen. Most individuals are wingless but some individuals have two pairs of membranous wings that are folded in a roof-like fashion over their abdomens. Adults are ~2.5 mm in length with a bluish-white body that is covered with fine powdery wax. The legs, antennae and cornicles are black.
Nymphs look like smaller wingless version of adults.
Eggs are dark and shiny and laid near buds and between axils of small twigs.
Aphids are sap feeders that use their straw-like mouthparts for puncturing plant tissue. Feeding may cause the leaves to become distorted, stunted and heavily curled. In heavy infestations leaves may be covered with honeydew and have a shiny appearance. Black mould may develop on leaf surfaces covered with honeydew. Aphids also can leave white cast skins on leaves and stems.
Eggs hatch on viburnum in spring just as buds begin to break. These individuals are known as stem mothers and give rise to generations of wingless females through parthenogenesis (females producing live female offspring without mating). By mid summer winged generations develop and aphids leave viburnum plants for a secondary host that is not yet known. In the fall wing aphids return to viburnum and lay eggs and produce a generation of sexual aphids. These aphids mate and lay eggs that overwinter and hatch the following spring.
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