(A)sexual reproduction - a review of life cycles of grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae

Since its emergence as a pest of grapevine about 150 years ago, studies on the life cycle and mode of reproduction of grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae) have been of considerable scientific interest and importance for applied viticulture. The life cycle of grape phylloxera, as described in the mid to late nineteenth century, is still subject to discussion and confusion. In this article, we aim to provide for the first time an overview of the reported life cycle strategies of grape phylloxera by summarizing documented observations, the results of controlled field and laboratory assays, and the results of molecular genetic analyses. Thus, we present a detailed morphological comparison of grape phylloxera morphs and provide clarification of these by suggesting a simplified nomenclature as well as revising errors found in the published literature. Moreover, recent molecular markers studies, which further enhance our understanding of the impact of sexual recombination on grape phylloxera, are described and discussed.