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Title: Well-known crop pests are well-known taxonomically: True for the Aphidoidea?

Author
item Miller, Gary
item FOOTTIT, ROBERT - AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD

Submitted to: Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2007
Publication Date: 3/12/2009
Citation: Miller, G.L., Foottit, R.G. 2009. Well-known crop pests are well-known taxonomically: True for the Aphidoidea? In: Foottit, R.G., Adler, P.H., editors. Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society. Chichester; West Sussex, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. p. 463-473.

Interpretive Summary: Aphids are agriculturally important insects not only because of their feeding damage to plants but also because of their ability to transmit plant diseases. They are directly responsible for billions of dollars of crop damage worldwide. This book chapter examines state of knowledge of a relatively “well-studied” pest group – the aphids. It explores perception that certain groups of insects, which are pests of crops, are well-studied biologically and their taxonomy is in good order. This paper clarifies erroneous perceptions and provides new insights into aphid study by looking at various technological advances that have taken place and continue to influence aphidology today. This information will be used by regulatory agriculturalists, systematists, ecologists, and molecular biologists.

Technical Abstract: The perception that pest groups, using aphids as an example, are well studied is addressed in this book chapter. It explores the technological advances which influence aphidology today, provides the first extensive analysis of synonymy (cumulative aphid names vs. cumulative valid aphid names) for the aphids (sensu lato) from Linnaeus to present, addresses advances and uses of morphometric and molecular techniques in providing clarification of aphids (including the first publication of DNA barcodes for Aphis sambuci L. and Macrosiphum rosae [L.]), examines the affect of adventive aphid species around the world, and addresses areas for both continued and new research in aphidology This information will be useful to regulatory agencies, systematists, ecologists, aphidologists, and molecular biologists.