Tuberaphis leeuweni (Homoptera), a Tropical, Monoecious, Gall-forming Aphid with Soldier-like Nymphs

Galls of the tropical aphid "Astegopteryx" leeuweni were collected from Styrax serrulata in Sumatra to investigate its life cycle, gall structure, soldier production and symbionts. The galls were of a single-cell type, and found at the position of a flower bud. The examination of alates and wingpadded nymphs revealed that the life cycle is monoecious with sex. Because the aphids contained round yeast-like symbionts, the species was transferred to the genus Tuberaphis. Many soldier-like 2nd-instar nymphs were found in the galls, but they did not attack artificially introduced insects. The function of the nymphs is briefly discussed.