Aphid

©Phil Warb

Aphis sp.
Family Aphiidae
Order: Hemiptera

This very small aphid (circa 1mm body length) was attracted to a light at night time.

Aphids have tube-like cornicles or siphunculi that resemble cerci, that can be seen in these photos protruding laterally at the posterior end of the abdomen. However the structure is not functionally the same as cerci. Aphid cornicles are used to secrete a range of volatile and non-volatile compounds with a variety of ecological functions. These include alarm pheromones and defensive substances such as waxes and triglyceride glues. They are also associated with secretions that encourage myrmecophily (ant symbiosis).

The image was focus stacked from 83 photos taken with a tube lens and a 5x microscope objective. The photos were assembled using a Wemacro rail to increment the focal points. The focus stacking was carried out using the Bolnev and Kacher “Focus Stacker” app.