The Family Aphididae in New Zealand

Abstract

This work deals only with the family Aphididae of the superfamily Aphidoides as defined by Baker (1920) and presents a large proportion of the results of studies made intermittently on this very important group during the past twelve years. Although most of the species have undoubtedly been introduced with their hosts in the processes of colonisation or commerce and the family is thus almost barren if one wishes to study endemic material only, the economic importance of the Aphids to agriculture is so great that a comprehensive review of them as they occur in the Dominion has been a long felt want. Apart from a few of the more outstanding pests the identity of the Aphid complex on our plants has been unknown and the host associations of the insect species concerned have and the host associations of the insect species concerned have been completely unexplored. A realisation of the importance of Aphids as vectors of plant virus diseases has also brought a keen demand for as exact a knowledge of the species as possibile. Altogether the present work aims at providing information on the identity, description, biology, habits, pest status and host ranges of the members of the family present.