Fundatrices

Fundatrices is the plural of fundatrix, a term used primarily in entomology to describe the founding female of a new aphid colony. The word comes from Latin fundatrix, meaning a female founder. In aphid life cycles, the fundatrix is typically the first viviparous female that hatches from overwintering eggs on the primary host in spring and establishes a new colony.

In its role, the fundatrix begins the colony by producing a brood of daughters, usually via parthenogenesis. These offspring rapidly increase the population on the host plant. Depending on the species and life cycle, some of the fundatrix’s progeny may develop into winged morphs that disperse to a secondary host, while others remain on the primary host to continue reproduction. On the secondary host, additional parthenogenetic generations often expand the colony, followed late in the season by the development of sexual morphs that generate overwintering eggs.

Fundatrices are not a taxonomic group; they are a descriptive developmental form within aphid populations. The term is most commonly applied to aphids with complex life cycles involving alternating hosts, but it may be used for similar founder females in related groups where a colony is launched by a solitary founding female.

In summary, a fundatrix is the founder female that initiates a new aphid colony, typically arising from an overwintering egg, driving early reproduction, and sometimes producing dispersing winged offspring to colonize subsequent hosts.