Confirmation that Myzus antirrhinii (Macchiati) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) occurs in Australia, using morphometrics, microsatellite typing and analysis of novel karyotypes by fluorescence in situ hybridisation

Aphids ascribable to Myzus antirrhinii (Macchiati) are shown to be widely distributed in Australia. This species is a member of the Myzus persicae group and confusion with the green peach aphid, M. persicae (Sulzer), is likely. We describe here investigations of some Australian clones of M. antirrhinii and extend the definition of the species to include observations on Australian specimens. We conclude that there is a cluster of Australian clones conforming morphometrically to M. antirrhinii when all characters are used. These clones include 11- and 12-chromosome karyotypes that are not found in European or North American populations of M. antirrhinii. The novel chromosome rearrangements were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridisation and were shown to be derivable from the typical 13-chromosome karyotype of this species. Microsatellite analysis corroborates the distinction of M. antirrhinii from hi. persicae. A microsatellite test for separating antirrhinii from persicae is suggested.