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Aphids
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Superfamily: Aphidoidea
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| Many members of the aphid superfamily are serious crop pests. Plant infestations can arise very rapidly due to most aphid's ability to parthenogenetically produce viviparous young (i.e. they give birth to live clones of themselves without the need for mating). By using parthenogenesis, development of the eggs is started before the female reaches adulthood and, in some cases, can even begin within the ovaries of the unborn young! |
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Anglesey, Wales - May 2009
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Cheshire, England - August 2009
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Cheshire, England - May 2009
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Cheshire, England - June 2009
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Aphidoidea spp. (?) on a Polytrichium juniperinum inflorescence
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| I think these tiny critters (about the size of a pinhead) are a member of the aphid superfamily, but am far from certain. Another photo from the series is below, cropped to show more detail of the insects. If anyone has any ideas about the identify of this species I'd be interested to hear from you. |
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Aphidoidea spp. (?) on a Polytrichium juniperinum inflorescence - cropped to show insect detail
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