Macrosiphoniella absinthii

Alternative names
Absinthe Aphid
Description

Body length of Macrosiphoniella absinthii apterae is 1.7 to 2.5 mm. It is reddish-brown and wax-powdered. It has a black head, antennae, legs, siphunculi and cauda, and a black spot in the centre of the abdomen which is highlighted by a white surround of powdered wax. The siphunculi are very thick and short.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Associated with Artemisia species such as Wormwood.

When to see it

Sexual forms (apterous or alate males) occur in autumn.

Life History

It feeds on the upper parts of Artemisia absinthium and related species. It is not usually ant attended.

UK Status

Status in Britain is difficult to determine due to lack of records.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Aphididae
Records on NatureSpot:
7
First record:
09/07/2017 (Smith, Peter)
Last record:
16/06/2023 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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