Phylloxeridae

Phylloxeridae is a small family of sap-sucking insects in the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha. Members are aphid-like and are best known for inducing galls on the tissues of their host plants. The family comprises several genera, including Phylloxera and Daktulosphaira; the latter contains the grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, once treated as Phylloxera vitifoliae.

Distribution and hosts: Phylloxeridae occur worldwide, principally on woody plants such as oaks, maples, willows, and grapevines. They are typically highly host specific, with different species exploiting particular plant taxa. Gall formation can occur on leaves, stems, or roots, depending on the species.

Life cycle and reproduction: Many phylloxerids have complex life cycles, with multiple generations that may include both winged and wingless forms. Some species reproduce parthenogenetically, while others produce sexual forms. In several lineages, generations alternate between different plant tissues or even different host plants.

Economic importance and management: The grape phylloxera is a notable pest of cultivated grapevines, causing root galls that impair water and nutrient uptake and can kill vines. Management historically relies on planting grape varieties grafted on resistant American rootstocks, plus quarantine and monitoring in vineyards.

Ecology and identification: Phylloxerids are generally small, soft-bodied insects, often overlooked due to their cryptic gall-forming habit. Identification typically requires examination of life stages and gall characteristics, and taxonomic work is conducted by specialists.