Aphis viburni

Description

Apterae of Aphis viburni are slate-coloured, brownish green or dark brown, sometimes with paired pleural wax spots on the abdomen. Of all the 'black aphid' group, A. viburni is probably the most variable in colour.

Similar Species

Aphis viburni can most readily be distinguished from A. fabae (which can also use Guelder-rose as a primary host) by the gall like gathering of strongly curled leaves (see pictures) that it produces. A. fabae does not produce a gall. The gall provides shelter for both the aphids and attendant ants.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Best recorded when present in a gall-like gathering of leaves on Guelder-rose.

Habitat

Where Guelder-rose is present.

When to see it

Late spring and summer.

UK Status

True 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: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Aphididae
Records on NatureSpot:
6
First record:
11/06/2022 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
21/05/2025 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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