Ant-mediated anholocyclic overwintering of Prociphilus fraxini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Central Europe

Abstract

The first observations of the aphid Prociphilus fraxini (Fabricius, 1777) being involved in a mutualistic relationship with the ant Prenolepis nitens (Mayr, 1853) in Europe is documented. Mutualism of an aphid generation living with the ants Prenolepis nitens and Lasius brunneus (Latreille, 1798) is discussed in reference to the possible development of an overwintering parthenogenetic population of the aphid, persisting on the roots of its secondary host, Picea abies, due to coevolution of the aphid with ants.