''Chaitophorus'' is a genus of aphids first described by

Carl Ludwig Koch Carl Ludwig Koch (21 September 1778 – 23 August 1857) was a German entomologist and arachnologist. He was responsible for classifying a great number of spiders, including the Brazilian whiteknee tarantula and common house spider. He was bo ...

in 1854. This genus includes roughly 90 to 110 species, and is found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Hosts

''Chaitophorus'' aphids are generally host-specific. They are known primarily from members of Salicaceae, namely ''

Populus ''Populus'' is a genus of 25–30 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. English names variously applied to different species include poplar (), aspen, and cottonwood. The we ...

'' and '' Salix''. However, some species are known from

Vitaceae The Vitaceae are a family of flowering plants, with 14 genera and around 910 known species, including common plants such as grapevines (''Vitis'' spp.) and Virginia creeper (''Parthenocissus quinquefolia''). The family name is derived from the ge ...

, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae.

Identification

The morphological differences between species of this genus are fairly subtle. As a result, identification to the species can be challenging, and knowledge of the host plant can be valuable.

Ecological relationships

Parasitoids In evolutionary ecology, a parasitoid is an organism that lives in close association with its host at the host's expense, eventually resulting in the death of the host. Parasitoidism is one of six major evolutionary strategies within parasi ...

such as '' Lysiphlebus salicaphis and Aphelinus aureus'' are known to specialize in this genus. Like many aphids, ''Chaitophorus'' are known to have generally mutualistic relationships with ants. This relationship is described to have independently evolved at least 5 times within the genus. As they feed on

phloem sap Sap is a fluid transported in xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a separa ...

, the aphids excrete honeydew, which is in turn consumed by ants. Some members of this genus ('' C. populialbae'' and '' C. populeti'') have been shown to vary the nutritional content of their honeydew depending on the presence of attending ants; however this has been shown to not be universal to the genus.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10447986 Hemiptera of Asia Aphididae