Citation: Pike, K., Graf, G., Footit, R., Maw, E., Miller, G.L., Harpel, J., Pantoja, A., Hagerty, A.M., Emmert, S.Y. 2010. Molecular and biometric assessment of Myzodium mimulicola (Hemiptera: Aphididae), with new synonymy and host and distributional data. The Canadian Entomologist. 142:448-457. Interpretive Summary: Myzodium mimulicola (Drew & Sampson 1937), collected from Mimulus guttatus Fisch. ex DC., was originally placed in the aphid genus Kakimia (now a subgenus of Nasonovia (Remaudière & Remaudière 1997)) and then Ovatus (Eastop & Hille Ris Lambers 1976). Because of its short distinctly shaped cauda and certain other features aligning with the genus Myzodium it is now classified as a Myzodium (Eastop & Voegtlin 1990). At the time of its newest placement it was unclear if it and Myzodium knowltoni described by Smith and Robinson (1975) from moss were separate species. This work synonomize M. mimulicola and M. knowltoni based on molecular sequence and morphological character comparisons, add new host and distributional information, and provide a diagnostic key to species.
Technical Abstract: Molecular and biometric assessment and redescription of Myzodium mimulicola (Drew & Sampson) are provided. New host and distributional data for North America are presented, including the first record from Alaska. Myzodium knowltoni (Smith & Robinson) is found to be a junior subjective synonym of M. mimulicola based on molecular sequence and morphological evidence.