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Tob. Sci., 1999, 43-06, p. 65-67, ISSN.0082-4623

Myzus nicotianae Blackman, a new junior synonym of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

CLEMENTS K.M.; WIEGMANN B.M.; SMITH C.F.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

The tobacco aphid, Myzus nicotianae , was separated from the M. persicae complex as separate species in 1987. This new species was distinguished from M. persicae primarily by a longer ultimate rostral segment relative to body size and its usually longer terminal antennal process. However, recent studies from different laboratories around the world and our research in the U.S. have shown that M. nicotianae from tobacco cannot be distinguished from M. persicae obtained from non-tobacco hosts based on morphological, biochemical, genetic, molecular and [behavioral] analyses. Based on our studies and the majority of evidence now available, M. nicotianae Blackman should be a junior synonym of M. persicae (Sulzer).