Abstract: Body-color polymorphism is a widespread phenomenon in aphids, which offers an ideal model system for investigating the adaptive mechanisms and ecological evolutionary functions for  insect species. Although aphid bodycolor polymorphism has been recognized for nearly two centuries, the basic mechanisms are still unknown. In the present paper, we summarized the research progress in aphid body-color patterns, body-color pigments, the important factors affecting bodycolor, ecological and evolutionary functions of color polymorphism and its maintenance mechanisms. The aim is to provide new insights into further research about aphid color polymorphisms with regard to mechanisms of divergence and maintenance of body-color as well as its adaptive functions in evolutionary ecology.

Key words: methanotroph., methane, Spartina alterniflora, coastal salt marsh, methanogen