Aphids are small sap-sucking insects and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white woolly aphids. A typical life cycle involves flightless females giving live birth to female nymphs—who may also be already pregnant, an adaptation scientists call telescoping generations—without the involvement of males. Maturing rapidly, females breed profusely so that the number of these insects multiplies quickly. Winged females may develop later in the season, allowing the insects to colonize new plants. In temperate regions, a phase of sexual reproduction occurs in the autumn, with the insects often overwintering as eggs.
The Aphididae are a very large insect family in the aphid superfamily (Aphidoidea), of the order Hemiptera. These insects suck the sap from plant leaves. Several thousand species are placed in this family, many of which are considered plant/crop pests. They are the family of insects containing most plant virus vectors with the green peach aphid being one of the most prevalent and indiscriminate carriers.
Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a viral species of the genus Closterovirus that causes the most economically damaging disease to its namesake plant genus, Citrus. The disease has led to the death of millions of Citrus trees all over the world and has rendered millions of others useless for production. Farmers in Brazil and other South American countries gave it the name "tristeza", meaning sadness in Portuguese and Spanish, referring to the devastation produced by the disease in the 1930s. The virus is transmitted most efficiently by the brown citrus aphid.
The wildlife of Sri Lanka includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of biological endemism.
Coccinella transversalis, commonly known as the transverse ladybird or transverse lady beetle is a species of ladybird beetle found from India across southern and southeastern Asia to Malesia and Australia. It is not to be confused with Coccinella transversoguttata, a widespread species in Europe and North America also known as the transverse ladybird. The alternative vernacular of small transverse ladybird may be used for C. transversalis in instances where these two species are discussed together.
Diaeretiella rapae is a species of cosmopolitan parasitoid wasp. It parasitizes many species of aphids, but especially the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae. It is the only species in the genus Diaeretiella.
Aphidinae is an aphid subfamily in the family Aphididae.
Macrosiphini is an aphid tribe in the subfamily Aphidinae.
Brumoides suturalis, the three-striped lady-beetle, is a species of ladybird described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1789. It is found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. It was found on an indoor window ledge in Manchester, UK, on February 25, 2022. It likely hitchhiked on flowers.
Acyrthosiphon gossypii, the melon aphid or cotton aphid, is an aphid in the superfamily Aphidoidea in the order Hemiptera. It is a true bug and sucks sap from plants. It is found from India, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, and South Africa.
Lysiphlebus testaceipes is a species of small braconid parasitoid wasp in the subfamily Aphidiinae. L. testaceipes can utilize numerous species of aphids as hosts and has often been used as a biological control agent against aphid pests. It is considered an invasive species in several European countries.
Harmonia octomaculata is a species of ladybird of the family Coccinellidae. It is found throughout India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Micronesia, and Australia.
Anegleis cardoni, is a species of lady beetle found in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Propylea dissecta, is a species of lady beetle native to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Scymnus (Pullus) latemaculatus, is a species of lady beetle found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus, is a species of lady beetle found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, China, and Asia Minor.
Propylea luteopustulata, is a species of lady beetle found in India, Nepal, Himalayas, Tibet, Southern China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Vietnam..
Scymnus (Pullus) coccivora, is a species of lady beetle found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Pakistan and probably in Thailand, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Papua New Guinea.
