Large Thistle Aphid

Large Thistle Aphid - Uroleucon cirsii

Description

The large thistle aphid Uroleucon cirsii is between 4 and 5.2 mm in length and has characteristic two tone legs.

Similar Species

Dark-tailed Thistle Aphid (Uroleucon aeneum) is similar and also uses Thistle as a host plant, but Uroleucon aeneum has an all black cauda (tail) whereas the cauda is dusky yellow in Uroleucon cirsii.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

A close up photograph is needed showing the cauda (tail).  Please also state the host species.

Habitat

Found on thistles especially Creeping Thistle.

When to see it

Summer.

Life History

It lives on the leaves and stems of some thistle species, especially Creeping Thistle.

UK Status

Not well recorded in Britain

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records