365 Urban Species. #034: Lettuce Aphid

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Urban species #034: Lettuce aphid Nasonovia ribis-nigri

I discovered this relative newcomer to North America in a head of Romaine lettuce earlier this week. It grew up in a hothouse, or a field in California or perhaps Mexico. The lettuce aphid is thought to be native to Europe. It is already widespread in the U.S., and quarantined from import to Japan, and farmers in Australia are nervous about it as well. A quick search of its scientific name turns up worried studies of insecticide-resistance (the lettuce this individual was found on, was not organic, that is, treated with pesticide). Aphid population growth is rapid, and includes sexual and asexual reproduction.

There are over a thousand species of aphids in North America, and nearly every plant species is fed upon by at least one aphid species.