About Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus, 1758)
Rhopalosiphum padi, commonly called the bird cherry-oat aphid, is an aphid species belonging to the superfamily Aphidoidea within the order Hemiptera. As a true bug, it feeds by sucking sap from plants. It is classified as a major pest of cereal crops, especially in temperate regions, and also affects other host plants in parts of Northern Europe. It is the main vector of many viruses that affect economically important field crops. R. padi has a worldwide distribution. Research shows it can colonize many dicotyledon host plants, though it prefers monocotyledon plant groups, similar to its close relatives R. maidis and R. rufiabdominale. As its common name suggests, its primary host is Prunus padus, where it overwinters in the egg stage. In North America, it has been recorded overwintering on Prunus virginiana (common chokecherry). In spring, it attacks all major cereals and pasture grasses, particularly barley, oats, wheat, and other Gramineae species. It is also commonly found in maize-growing regions.
