ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The spread of alien aphid species Cinara curvipes and Cinara cedri in Europe – the impact of climate and plant trade
1
Faculty of Biology, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
2
Departament of Entomology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
3
Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
4
Laboratory of Applied Zoology and Parasitology, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
5
Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-11-11
Acceptance date: 2026-03-26
Online publication date: 2026-06-05
Corresponding author
Roma Durak
Faculty of Biology, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
Faculty of Biology, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
HIGHLIGHTS
- First analysis of introduction pathways of C. curvipes and C. cedri
- Genetic data show low diversity in C. curvipes and higher in C. cedri
- Human activity and climate change drive their range expansion
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Aphids are a strict group of insects that are particularly stimulated by current climate
changes. Recent modifications in their life cycles, development, migration dates and geographical
ranges are attributed to changes of local climates. Cinara curvipes, a species
trophically related mainly to Abies spp., has been observed in Poland since 2015, while
Cinara cedri, feeding on Cedrus sp., has been observed since 2022. Their presence is always
associated with mass occurrence on host plants. The aim of this study was molecular identification
of the species C. cedri and C. curvipes, collected in Poland. Potential pathways of
introduction and spread of these species across Europe and the world was discussed. Based
on the analysis of two genetic markers (COI and EF1-α), haplotype networks illustrating
the relationships between populations from different parts of Europe and the world were
presented. A contrasting pattern of low intraspecific variation in C. curvipes, but high in
C. cedri was demonstrated, which may be associated with the modes of reproduction,
mechanisms of dispersal of these two species, as well as introgressive hybridization between
C. cedri and aphids belonging to Cinara (Cupressobium). Genetic relationships between
mitochondrial haplotypes have shown that these species have reached Poland from
western and southern Europe. These species have spread from their natural range mainly
through imported plant material. Human activity and climate warming have enabled them
to successfully settle.
FUNDING
This research was supported by the Minister
of Science of the Republic of Poland under the Program
“Regional initiative of excellence”. Agreement No. RID/
SP/0010/2024/1. M.K.K. – contribution to the article
was funded from statutory resources of the Institute of
Nature Conservation PAS.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Jacek Twardowski
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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