Biology:Sitobion avenae

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Short description: Species of true bug

English Grain Aphid
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Family: Aphididae
Genus: Sitobion
Species:
S. avenae
Binomial name
Sitobion avenae
Fabricius

Sitobion avenae, the English grain aphid, is an aphid in the superfamily Aphidoidea in the order Hemiptera. It is a true bug and sucks sap from plants. It lives on grasses, sedge and rushes and can be a significant pest of cereals.[1]

This species act as a host of the entomophthoralean fungi.[2]

Parthenogenesis

Some genotypes of S avenae are obligate parthenogens and some are cyclical parthenogens.[3] Cyclically parthenogenetic lines can reproduce parthenogenetically in the spring and summer. Production of sexual females and males is induced during autumn by decreasing day length and decreasing temperature. Mating followed by egg laying occurs on grasses (Poaceae) during late November. Eggs can overwinter with delayed development (diapause), and then, after being exposed to cold for two or three months, can hatch spontaneously and initiate the next cycle of clonal reproduction.[3]

Genomics

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) was published in 2026. The genome size is approximately 525 Mb, with the assembly anchored to 6 chromosomes. The assembly has a BUSCO completeness of 98.6%, and 15,326 protein-coding genes were predicted.[4]

References

  1. "Sitobion avenae (English Grain Aphid) identification, images, ecology". http://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Sitobion_avenae_English_Grain_aphid.htm. 
  2. Ben Fekih, Ibtissem; Boukhris-Bouhachem, Sonia; Eilenberg, Jørgen; Allagui, Mohamed Bechir; Jensen, Annette Bruun (2013). "The Occurrence of Two Species of Entomophthorales (Entomophthoromycota), Pathogens of Sitobion avenaeand Myzus persicae(Hemiptera: Aphididae), in Tunisia". BioMed Research International 2013: 1–7. doi:10.1155/2013/838145. PMID 23862158. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "The genetics of obligate parthenogenesis in an aphid species and its consequences for the maintenance of alternative reproductive modes". Heredity (Edinb) 110 (1): 39–45. January 2013. doi:10.1038/hdy.2012.57. PMID 22990313. Bibcode2013Hered.110...39D. 
  4. Zhang, Yong; Liu, Qiang; Li, Feng; Zhao, Yue; Chen, Jian (2026). "Chromosome-level genome assembly of the English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae)". Scientific Data. doi:10.1038/s41597-026-07158-7. PMID 41981000. 

Wikidata ☰ Q3838011 entry