Melaphis rhois is an aphid species first identified by Asa Fitch in 1866.

[5] According to Hebert et al, the eggs "give rise to a series of parthenogenetic generations, which remain within the gall.

Winged females leave the gall in late summer and fly to moss, where they establish asexually reproducing colonies.

The colonies produce the males and sexual females responsible for recolonizing sumac each spring.

"[3]: 758  In 1989, it was reported that the use of alternate plant hosts by the aphids dates from 48 million years before present.