Abstract:

Aim: To comprehensively investigate the current status of the diversity of aphid species and their host plants, this study presents an updated checklist of aphids and their host plants in Fujian Province. 

Methods: Based on the aphid data in Fauna of Insects in Fujian Province of China: Vol. II published in 1999, we conducted a comprehensive survey by reviewing relevant literature, specimen records, biodiversity databases, and field survey records over the past decade, then compiled an updated checklist of aphids and their host plants, documenting detailed information on taxonomic status (family, subfamily, genus, Chinese and scientific species names), geographical distributions, voucher specimens, host plants, and data sources. 

Results: In total 240 aphid species (subspecies) belonging to 111 genera, 13 subfamilies and two families have been recorded. Among them, the Aphididae comprises 239 species in 110 genera of 12 subfamilies, while the Phylloxeridae includes only one species. Compared with the aphid records in Fauna of Insects in Fujian Province of China: Vol. II, this study revised the taxonomic status of 11 species with genus-level changes, revealed 15 synonyms and 6 species with misspelled names, and added 90 newly discovered species in Fujian, including 14 newly described species and 76 newly recorded species. A total of 95 families of host plants for aphids have been recorded in Fujian. Among them, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Fagaceae, Salicaceae, and Pinaceae are the dominant host plant families, with 51, 36, 34, 27, 11, and 11 aphid species feeding on these families, respectively. At the genus-level, a total of 247 host plant genera have been recorded, among which Artemisia, Quercus, Prunus, Pyrus, Pinus and Castanopsis are dominant host plant genera with 20, 19, 11, 9, 9 and 8 aphid species on them, respectively. 

Conclusions: This study provides a revised and updated species checklist of aphids and their host plants in Fujian Province, incorporating improved species information, including geographical distributions and voucher specimens. This comprehensive data serves as a valuable resource for insect diversity surveys and assessments, pest control in agriculture and forestry, and supports the development of related disciplines.

Key words: species checklist, new records, new species, geographical distribution