Aulacorthum, Mordvilko, 1914

Martin, Jon H. & Lau, Clive S. K., 2011, The Hemiptera-Sternorrhyncha (Insecta) of Hong Kong, China-an annotated inventory citing voucher specimens and published records, Zootaxa 2847, pp. 1-122 : 23-25

Aulacorthum undetermined sp. 1

Two HK voucher samples, sent to CIE, now in BMNH: host data quoted as Aleurites montana and A. fordii (now Vernicia — HK Herbarium, 2004), the former being sent from HK University by Hill in 1976, and the latter sent from TLF in 1989. The second sample carries the observation “looks like Aphis nerii in life” which we assume to mean a yellow body colour. Both samples were originally cautiously determined as van der Goot’s (1917) species Rhopalosiphum vagans , subsequently placed in Amphorophora by Mason (1925), presumably on the basis that the alata’s siphunculi were described by van der Goot as “long and distinctly swollen with the surface quite smooth”. This HK record was also reported by Lee & Winney (1981), as Aulacorthum ?? vagans , an unpublished combination that was also marked on the BMNH slides. However, it was not listed under any of these combinations, for HK or anywhere else in China, by Tao (1999a). Curiously, Eastop & Hille Ris Lambers (1976) and Remaudière & Remaudière (1997) each list vagans twice— under Amphorophora and Sinomegoura , with the Sinomegoura entry being listed as nomen dubium by Remaudière & Remaudière.

The apterae of the HK samples have pale cuticle excepting black antennae; the head and antennal tubercles are spiculose and well-developed, with a deep frontal trough; the siphunculi are rather tapering—with these characters it is thus better suited to placement in Aulacorthum and the HK material is therefore placed as an undetermined species of Aulacorthum . The north Indian species, vagans , with its swollen siphunculi should remain in Amphorophora at least until its sole type specimen (Indian Museum) can be appraised.

Brachysiphoniella montana (van der Goot, 1917)

Reported from HK by Tao (1999a). This is a grass-feeding species with a tropical distribution, and this HK record is regarded as questionable.

Capitophorus hippophaes (Walker, 1852)

Single sample in BMNH comprises 8 alatae from yellow water trap at TLF. Reported from HK by Tao (1999a) and by Lee & Winney (1981).

Capitophorus hippophaes s. sp. javanicus Hille Ris Lambers (1953) (Fig. 22)

Single sample in BMNH, from Polygonum chinense on waste ground in Sai Kung Peninsula (NT). Specimens were collected along with those of C. mitegoni —see comments on C. mitegoni , below.

Capitophorus mitegoni Eastop (1956)

Originally described as another subspecies of C. hippophaes . The specimens of the single HK voucher sample in BMNH were found on the same individual Polygonum chinense plant as examples of C. hippophaes javanicus (q.v., above). The two taxa differ from each other markedly, with mitegoni being significantly smaller than javanicus but bearing dorsal capitate setae on the abdomen and head that are much longer and more robust. Finding two nominal taxa on one isolated plant surely raises questions of intraspecific variability, but both names are treated as valid here.

Cavariella araliae Takahashi (1921)

Two samples in BMNH, from Schefflera ? heptaphylla [= S.? octophylla ] at Central’s fire station compound ( HK Island) and from Aralia armata at Sai Kung (NT). A van der Goot slide in LEW was collected in HK on 6.v.1918, and bears the determination “ Siphonocoryne ”—these specimens are almost certainly C. araliae .

Coloradoa artemisiae (Del Guercio, 1913)

Material in BMNH from single enormous colony on semi-cultivated Artemisia indica at Tai O (Lantau I.). Small numbers of Pleotrichophorus glandulosus (q.v.) were on the same plants.

Dactynotus see Uroleucon

Hyadaphis undetermined sp. 1

see Semiaphis heraclei (Takahashi, 1921)

Hyperomyzus carduellinus (Theobald, 1915)

Single sample in BMNH, from Sonchus sp. at Tai O (Lantau I.). Body setae are noted as being a little longer than is typical for this species.

Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach, 1843)

see L. pseudobrassicae (Davis, 1914)

Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis, 1914)

HK vouchers in BMNH, from Abelmoschus esculentus , Brassica chinensis , and Raphanus sativus . Many, if not most, records of this common aphid, which colonises many brassicaceous plants, appear under the name L. erysimi (Kaltenbach) . However Blackman & Eastop (2000) say the following: “The name L. erysimi (Kaltenbach) is applicable to a European species with [chromosome count] 2n=10 which shows some morphological differences and is not normally a pest of brassica crops.” Reported from HK by Tao (1999a) and by Lee & Winney (1981), as L. erysimi .

Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gillette, 1908)

Single sample in BMNH, from Chrysanthemum sp. at TLF. This shiny black aphid is a well-known pest of chrysanthemums. Reported from HK by Tao (1999a) and by Lee & Winney (1981).

Megoura lespedezae (Essig & Kuwana, 1918)

Single alata in BMNH, trapped at TLF in 1976 and sent to CIE for determination (CIE A. 9012). Also reported from HK by Lee & Winney (1981), perhaps based on this individual.

Micromyzella judenkoi (Carver, 1965)

3 alatae in BMNH, from a yellow pan trap at TLF in 1976 and sent to CIE for determination (CIE A. 9012). Reported from HK by Tao (1999a) and by Lee & Winney (1981) as Micromyzus judenkoi .

Micromyzus judenkoi Carver (1965)

See Micromyzella judenkoi (Carver, 1965)

Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776)

HK samples in BMNH, from Beta vulgaris , Brassica caulorapa , B. alboglabra , B. chinensis , B. oleracea , Calonyction aculeatum (“moon flower”), Capsicum frutescens Chrysanthemum sp. , Dahlia pinnata cult. var., Ipomoea sp. , Lactuca sativa , Lycium chinense , Lycopersicon esculentum , Pisum sativum , Prunus persica , Raphanus sativus , Solanum tuberosum , Spinacia oleracea , and Tagetes erecta , mostly collected at TLF. Reported from HK by Tao (1999a) and by Lee & Winney (1981). A common, polyphagous, agricultural pest.

Myzus varians Davidson (1912) (Fig. 16)

S ingle sample in BMNH, collected by the authors from Clematis chinensis on East Ping Chau Island.

Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (1859)

Several HK samples from Musa sapientum in BMNH. Reported from HK by Tao (1999a), with no known vouchers, and by Lee & Winney (1981) whose record is based on material sent to BMNH via CIE (A9012).

Pentalonia caladii van der Goot (1917)

Material in BMNH comprises a single trapped alata from TLF yellow pan trap, and specimens collected from Alpinia katsumadai at HK Botanical & Zoological Gardens. Foottit et al. (2010) discussed the reinstatement of caladii to full species status.

Pleotrichophorus glandulosus (Kaltenbach, 1846)

Vouchers in BMNH, from Artemisia indica at Tai O, Lantau I. Small numbers of this species were living amongst much more numerous Coloradoa artemisiae (q.v.).

Semiaphis heraclei (Takahashi, 1921)

HK samples in BMNH from Apium graveolens and Coriandrum sativum . Reported from HK by Tao (1999a). Lee & Winney (1981) reported a species of Hyadaphis from Apium graveolens in HK but this record is likely to involve S. heraclei even though they also list S. heraclei separately.

Sinomegoura citricola (van der Goot, 1917)

This species usually feeds on woody hosts, most frequently members of the Rutaceae and Lauraceae . HK samples in BMNH, from Cassytha filiformis , Cuscuta japonica , Litsea monopetala and Murraya paniculata . Cassytha filiformis is a member of the Lauraceae known as “dodder laurel” because of its strong resemblance to true dodders, Cuscuta spp : the Cuscuta japonica host record should therefore be treated cautiously. A van der Goot slide in LEW, collected in HK on 8.iii.1918 and bearing the determination “ Macrosiphum ”, appears to be S. citricola from the limited detail visible in the poor preparation. S. citricola was reported from HK by Takahashi (1941c) and by Lee & Winney (1981) but no vouchers known.

Sinomegoura evodiae (Takahashi, 1929)

Single sample in BMNH, from Acronychia pedunculata on HK Island, is provisionally determined as this species.

Sitobion alopecuri (Takahashi, 1921)

Three alatae from yellow pan traps at TLF are in BMNH and are provisionally determined. The record of this species in HK by Lee & Winney (1981) is probably based upon this material.

Sitobion avenae (Fabricius, 1775)

see S. miscanthi (Takahashi, 1921)

Sitobion berchemiae (Takahashi, 1938)

Single apterous adult (coll. Martin) from Berchemia floribunda on HK Island (BMNH).

Sitobion ibarae (Matsumura, 1917)

Single sample in BMNH, from Rosa sp. at TLF. Also reported from HK by Lee & Winney (1981).

Sitobion miscanthi (Takahashi, 1921)

HK samples in BMNH, from Avena fatua , undetermined grasses and yellow pan traps. Reported from HK by Tao (1999a). Records of S. avenae (Fabricius, 1775) from HK probably refer to this species—some slides now placed as miscanthi in BMNH were originally determined as avenae . Lee & Winney (1981) recorded both S. avenae and S. miscanthi from HK.

Sitobion smilacifoliae (Takahashi, 1921)

Four samples in BMNH, one also with PPRD vouchers, from Smilax china on East Ping Chau Island, and from S. glabra and Heterosmilax japonica var. gaudichaudiana on HK Island.

Sitobion takahashii (Eastop, 1959)

S ingle voucher sample in BMNH (coll. Martin), numerous bright green aphids having been found feeding under leaflets of Phyllanthus leptoclados on Sai Kung Peninsula (NT).

Trichosiphonaphis lonicerae (Uye, 1923)

Vouchers in BMNH comprise two alatae from yellow pan trap and one vagrant alata, all three from TLF, and are almost certainly the material listed by Lee & Winney (1981) as T. tade (Shinji, 1927) . This revised determination is still cautious because the genus requires revision.

Trichosiphonaphis polygoni (van der Goot, 1917)

Vouchers comprise three alatae from yellow pan traps at TLF. These are determined with caution because the genus requires revision.

Trichosiphonaphis tade (Shinji, 1927)

see T. lonicerae (Uye, 1923)

Uroleucon formosanum (Takahashi, 1921)

HK samples in BMNH, from Lactuca sp. , L. sativa , L. indica , Sonchus arvensis and yellow pan traps. Also reported from HK by Lee & Winney (1981), under both Uroleucon and the now-unavailable genus Dactynotus .

Uroleucon undetermined sp. or spp

Two samples in BMNH, single alata from yellow pan trap at TLF; and an old slide with several uncleared specimens, bearing the sole data “ HK, 7.vi.1918, leg van der Goot”. A van der Goot slide in LEW was collected from Sonchus in HK on 7.v.1918: this bears the determination Rhop [alosiphum] lactucae (now Hyperomyzus lactucae ) but the specimens can be seen to be Uroleucon despite the atrocious preparation.