Records of some aphids species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at San Rafael National Park

Abstract

Neuquenaphis E. E. Blanchard, is a endemic South American genus of aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae, Neuquenaphidinae) which use as host-plant almost exclusively species of the genus Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae). Most of the information available come from studies performed in the central-south part of the country, with scarce information concerning the austral zone. With the aim to put up to date the number of records of this aphid group, in the area of the National Park Laguna San Rafael (PNLSR), Coyhaique, the presence of aphids associated to forest dominated by Nothofagus nitida and Nothofagus betuloides was studied. The presence of specimens of Neuquenaphis schlingeri Hille Ris Lambers and Neuquenaphis chilensis Essig on Nothofagus nitida was determined. No aphids were found on Nothofagus betuloides. The aphid Neuquenaphis valdiviano Carrillo was found on Gunnera magallanica. Others aphid genera, mainly introduced ones, living on other species of vascular plants were recorded. These records are compared with those from other parts o f the country.