Aphids are small plant-feeding insects with complicated life cycles. Species of aphids are generally restricted to a narrow taxonomic range of hosts, and host identity is usually necessary for correctly identifying an aphid. The 2005 season marks the third and final year of an aphid survey of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, already shown to harbor a diverse aphid fauna. In 2005, areas of the park that contain particular plants known to host aphids will be targeted for sampling, with particular emphasis given to those ecological areas not yet sampled. Among other plants, sedges, ferns, and asters will be targeted, and mud flats, balds, and other unique areas will be visited. Furthermore, many aphids are tended by ants, and working out aphid-ant relationships will be a secondary focus of the project.

Collectors List: CollectorList.pdf

Genera of Largest Family Graph: GenusCountAcGraph.pdf

Project Information: Project.pdf

Samplings List: SamplingsList.pdf

Species Ranking: SpeciesDistributionRanking.pdf

Species Report: Taxonomy.pdf

Upper Taxa List: UpperTaxa.pdf

Principal Investigator

PI Name:  Dr. Colin Favret

PI Organization:  Illinois Natural History Survey