Winged morph of the high arctic aphid Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum (Hemiptera: Aphididae): abundance, reproductive status, and ecological significance

• Published in: The Canadian Entomologist
• Main Authors: Simon, J.-C., Bonhomme, J., Blackman, R.L., Hullé, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2008
• Subjects: Insect Science; Molecular Biology; Physiology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Structural Biology; Arctic; Svalbard; Dryas octopetala; Kongsfjord*; Kongsfjorden; Mountain avens; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/n08-002; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X00002273

Abstract The aphid Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum Heikinheimo, which is endemic to Svalbard and feeds exclusively on eightpetal mountain-avens, Dryas octopetala L. (Rosaceae), has developed a series of adaptive traits to cope with the harsh conditions of the High Arctic. Prior to this study, only a single specimen of the winged morph of A. svalbardicum had been found, suggesting extremely low dispersal potential. In 2006 we collected many winged females in several places at Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen. Although winged individuals were generally found in high-density populations, no significant relationship existed between aphid abundance and wing development. We discuss whether this sudden increase in winged-morph production by A. svalbardicum is related to a warmer than usual summer in Svalbard.