The composition of the aphid fauna (Insecta, Hemiptera) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Aphid species of non-native origin have expanded their range in Europe, but the role of botanic gardens in this phenomenon was previously unexplored. This study identifies 94 taxa of Aphidomorpha at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), including 20 alien species and nine new records for the site. Notably, Ericolophium holsti, an Asiatic aphid associated with Rhododendron spp., was documented in the UK for the first time in the field. The research also highlights that 20 of the identified species are serious pests capable of virus transmission. Conducted over twelve days in June 2017 across living plant collections, glasshouses, and nurseries, this inventory builds on earlier studies from the 1960s, providing insights into changes in aphid fauna composition and host range.

Wieczorek, K., Fulcher, T. K., & Chłond, D. (2019). The composition of the aphid fauna (Insecta, Hemiptera) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46441-z