Aphid vs chrysanthemum aphid

Macrosiphoniella abrotani compared with Macrosiphoniella sanborni

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Aphid	chrysanthemum aphid
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Hemiptera (Hemiptera)	Hemiptera (Hemiptera)
Family same	Aphididae	Aphididae
Genus same	Macrosiphoniella	Macrosiphoniella
Species	Macrosiphoniella abrotani	Macrosiphoniella sanborni

Evolutionary Relationship

Aphid and chrysanthemum aphid share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Macrosiphoniella.

Conservation Status

Aphid

NE — Not Evaluated

chrysanthemum aphid

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Aphid	chrysanthemum aphid
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Aphid

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

chrysanthemum aphid

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Cyprus, Israel, Taiwan), Europe (31 countries), and North America (United States).

Aphid

The Aphid (Macrosiphoniella abrotani) is a species in the genus Macrosiphoniella. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

chrysanthemum aphid

The chrysanthemum aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni) is a soft-bodied insect in the family Aphididae, a specialist pest of cultivated and wild Chrysanthemum species and related members of the family Asteraceae. It is a dark brown to reddish-black aphid, distinguishing it from many green or pale aphids, and infests the shoots, leaves, and flower buds of its host plants. Like other aphids, Macrosiphoniella sanborni feeds by inserting its stylet mouthparts into plant tissue to extract phloem sap, depriving the host of carbohydrates and amino acids. Heavy infestations cause stunting, leaf curl, distortion, and reduction in flower quality and yield, making it a significant pest in the commercial chrysanthemum industry worldwide. The species can reproduce parthenogenetically — females producing live young without fertilization — and populations can build rapidly under warm greenhouse conditions. Chrysanthemum aphids excrete honeydew, which supports the growth of black sooty mold on plant surfaces, further reducing photosynthesis and ornamental value. They may also transmit plant viruses during feeding. Natural predators including ladybirds, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps provide biological control, though chemical aphicides are frequently used in commercial cultivation.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States