Grain Aphid
Sitobion avenae
insectView on iNaturalist
Tiny, pale green aphid clustering on grass and grain stems. Major crop pest that weakens plants by sucking sap; serves as prey for natural predators like hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
Plants that support Grain Aphid
5 plants
California Brome
Bromus carinatus var. carinatus
grass
spring population growth on emerging grass shoots
Bay Area native
Creeping Fescue
Festuca rubra
grass
Sap-feeding; spring population buildup on new growth; pest species
Bay Area native
Foxtail Barley
Hordeum jubatum subsp. jubatum
grass
Mid-summer phloem feeding on developing inflorescences
Bay Area native
Hair Grass*
Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. holciformis
grass
Sap-feeding specialist on grass shoots during spring colonization
Bay Area native
Slender Wheatgrass
Elymus trachycaulus subsp. trachycaulus
grass
early season sap-feeding; important protein source for migrant birds
Bay Area native