Cinara curvipes (Patch) (Sternorrhyncha, Lachnidae) - eine invasive Rindenlaus in Mitteleuropa.

Abstract

Since the year 2000 the black coloured 4.5 to 5.3 mm long Cinara curvipes (Patch) has been observed outdoors throughout the year in the area of Eberswalde, Brandenburg, on its hostplants Abies grandis and A. concolor. This insect was also found on A. koreana and A. veitchii. This bark aphid sucks preferentially on the trunk, on the undersides of branches and on the bases of branches. In Germany C. curvipes was also found in the federal states of Bavaria, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony. The previously unknown fundatrices, oviparous females, the winged male (previously known only from a single locality in the USA) and the unknown winter eggs were found. An exact description of the alatae was also possible. The annual cycle of this bark aphid, previously only known from the USA, Canada and Mexiko, was investigated. It became apparent that in Central Europe the yearly succession of generations may be holocyclic or anholocyclic. Where this is holocyclic, five generations follow from the fundatrices which emerge from the winter eggs, whilst only the last generation is bisexual and completes the annual cycle by laying the winter eggs. Under anholocyclism neither oviparous females nor males are produced: six generations follow upon each other during the year. The last of these, from the V5 to the V6 born into the beginning of November, can overwinter. After successful overwintering of this V6 generation (anholocyclism) and the onset of reproduction of these in March, bark louse colonies which already contain in May many thousands of individuals can develop on the undersides of branches and on the trunk of the hostplants. This phenomenon is hitherto unknown in native Cinara species of Central Europe. Members of the V3 generation of both cycles cause a reciprocal overlapping of anholocyclism and holocyclism by the birth of V4 and of sexuparae, which can occur even on the same tree. - As early as March, during the summer months and as late as November / December, thus before the overwintering of larval and adult morphs, C. curvipes secretes large quantities of honeydew. This is an important source of nutrition for Formicidae and Vespidae from early spring into November / December. - Reasons for the general absence of predatory insects and the possibly local significance for beekeeping are discussed.

Keywords

Cinara curvipes (Patch), Germany, morphs, biology.