Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) detected in cereal fields in Germany

Studies conducted in the 2000 cropping season at two different localities, Flaeming and Magdeburger Boerde in Germany, have provided new information on cereal aphid (Sitobion avenae (F.), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) parasitoids in winter wheat; their species composition, relative abundance, hosts, and location effects. The average aphid population density was higher at Magdeburger Boerde and lower at Flaeming. Among the aphid species, Sitobion avenae was more abundant at Flaeming and Metopolophium dirhodum at Magdeburger Boerde. In total, eight species of primary parasitoids were recorded: Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, Aphidius ervi Haliday, Aphidius picipes (Nees), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees), Praon gallicumStarý, and Praon volucre (Haliday). The predominant parasitoid species were Aphidius colemani and Aphidius rhopalosiphi on Metopolophium dirhodum and Aphidius uzbekistanicus on Sitobion avenae. A low number of hyperparasitoids were also recorded. Aphidius colemani was recorded for the first time in the open winter wheat fields in Germany, although it has been used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses in many European countries and overseas. An analysis of the aforementioned information shows that Aphidius colemani detected as a parasitoid of cereal aphids in Germany is likely a result of an accidental escape of parasitoids from a glasshouse, as well as their successful overwintering and establishment in the area. This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species guild and dynamics in cereal fields in Germany.     

Spring aphid-parasitoid (Hom., Aphididae, Hym., Braconidae) associations and interactions in a Mediterranean arable crop ecosystem, including Bt maize

Conspecific and heterospecific associations of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) were used to determine the interactions between crops forming the main arable crop ecosystem (wheat, alfalfa, isogenic and [Bt Bacillus thuringiensis] transgenic maize) in an irrigated area in Catalonia, Spain. Species composition and instars of parasitized aphids (mummies) were used to detect the parasitoid population movements between the crops and proved interactions (alternation) between the crops, including transgenic maize. Parasitoid interactions were species-dependent, appearing in the movements between alfalfa-wheat-maize in the individual species. Aphidius ervi Hal., A. rhopalosiphi DeSt.-Perez, A. uzbekistanicus Luzh., Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cress.) and Praon volucre (Hal.) were classified as key-stone species in the target agroecosystems in the area. No differences were found in aphid-parasitoid associations on Bt transgenic maize and isogenic maize for aphid species composition and associated parasitoid guild.     

Presence of less-preferred hosts of the aphid parasitoids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidius ervi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Praon volucre</Emphasis> reduces parasitism efficiency

Parasitoids are characterized by a defined range of hosts, either more specialist or generalist. Under natural conditions, females may encounter different host species on the same plant or in the same location. In this case, their preference for one host could influence their choice. However, the presence of less suitable hosts may also affect their choice and, in some cases, may reduce their interest in a patch where both preferred and less preferred hosts are available. The aim of the present study was to test the consequences of the simultaneous presence of three cereal aphids (Sitobion avenae Fabricius, Metopolophium dirhodum Walker, and Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus) on the parasitism by two of their parasitoids, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Praon volucre Haliday. Firstly, in the no-choice experiment, A. ervi parasitized on S. avenae at a significantly higher rate as compared to M. dirhodum, whereas no parasitism on R. padi was observed. P. volucre parasitized the three species of cereal aphids with a significant preference for S. avenae. Interestingly, when two or three host species were offered simultaneously in the same quantity to pairs of parasitoids, the level of parasitism was less than that observed for one host species alone. This observation exhibits a distractive effect on non-host species, from the defense mechanism of a non-suitable host or from the perception of bad quality patches. These results raise the question of the practical application of inundative release of parasitoids for biocontrol when several hosts are available simultaneously.     

Aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on citrus: Seasonal abundance, association with the species of host plant, and sampling indices

Samples were collected from southern Greece during 1996–2000 in order to investigate the presence of parasitoids onAphis gossypii Glover infesting several citrus species. The species of aphidiines found to have a significantly different preference forA. gossypii wereAphidius colemani Viereck,Aphidius matricariae Haliday,Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh),Ephedrus persicae Froggat,Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson),Binodoxys acalephae (Marshall) andBinodoxys angelicae (Haliday). In another sampling experiment, the relative abundance of aphidiine parasitoids on aphids infesting orange and tangerine trees was studied in southern Greece (Nea Kios) in 1996 and 1997.A. gossypii constituted the largest part of the aphid population and was the only species parasitized.B. angelicae andA. colemani were the most abundant parasitoid species. The parasitization rate differed among the parasitoid species.B. angelicae had the highest colonization rate in centrally located and large host (A. gossypii) groups, whereasA. colemani was found in more isolated and relatively small host groups. The percentage of parasitism byB. angelicae was high mainly in large host groups, whenB. angelicae was the only parasitoid present. However, in cases of coexistence ofB. angelicae withA. colemani with hyperparasitoids, in the same sampling unit, the percentage of parasitism was relatively low. http://www.phytoparasitica.org     

Virulence of Verticillium lecanii (Z.) against cereal aphids; does timing of infection affect the performance of parasitoids and predators?

BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi such as Verticillium lecanii (Z.) (Mycotal^®) are used for pest control as an alternative to chemical control. In this study, the effect of V. lecanii on cereal aphids is assessed. In addition, an investigation is carried out to determine whether the use of V. lecanii affects the performance of two natural enemies of aphids, the predator Harmonia axyridis (P.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (V.), in no‐choice experiments under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: The number of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) killed was increased by increasing the concentration of V. lecanii. The timing of application of fungus to aphids affected the efficacy of other biocontrol agents, a parasitoid and a predator. Parasitation by A. colemani (V.) in both cereal aphids (S. avenae and R. padi) was not affected by V. lecanii when aphids were first treated with V. lecanii and then exposed to A. colemani. The emergence of adults from parasitised mummies was, however, lower in infected aphids than in uninfected aphids when the aphids were first exposed to the parasitoids and then treated with fungus. The female sex ratio in the emerging adults was lower in V. lecanii‐treated aphids in both species. When aphids were first treated with V. lecanii, 72 h before predation, fewer aphids of both species were consumed by H. axyridis (P.). CONCLUSION: Use of entomopathogenic fungus as a biological control agent could be a complementary strategy in an integrated pest management programme against cereal aphids, but it can reduce the efficiency of other biocontrol agents (parasitoids and predators) when applied simultaneously. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

宁夏麦蚜天敌多样性及种间关系

麦蚜是宁夏小麦的主要害虫,为了实现自然天敌对麦蚜的有效控制,采用网捕法和陷阱法等采集手段,通过3年田间调查,共鉴定麦蚜天敌97种,包括寄生性天敌16种和捕食性天敌81种。将麦蚜天敌划分为单食性天敌、寡食性天敌、多食性天敌及杂食性天敌共4类功能团进行分析,结果表明,不同天敌功能团对麦蚜种群的影响存在显著的交互作用;寄生性天敌中蚜茧蜂属的燕麦蚜茧蜂与烟蚜茧蜂是优势种;捕食性天敌种类较为复杂,不同地区麦蚜天敌组成存在显著性差异,复杂的农业景观能够维持更高的天敌多样性。表明在农业生态系统中建立和恢复非作物生境能够明显提高天敌种群数量,进而提高其生物防治作用。     

Comparison of the epidemiology of Metopolophium dirhodum and Sitobion avenae on winter wheat

The epidemiology ofMetopolophium dirhodum and its natural enemies on winter wheat was studied from 1975 to 1979 inclusive. AlateM. dirhodum colonize wheat from the middle of May onwards. Immigration occurs until mid-June. Population growth rates ofM. dirhodum can be as high as or occasionally even higher than those ofSitobion avenae. InM. dirhodum alatae are formed in a high proportion throughout the epidemic whereas inS. avenae the % of alatae becomes high at the end. In both species most of these alatae seem to emigrate. Both species have a similar potential to become a pest.Samenvatting De epidemiologie vanMetopolophium dirhodum werd bestudeerd van 1975–1989 en vergeleken met die vanSitobion avenae. Beide soorten migreren naar tarwe in de loop van mei. De relatieve populatie groeisnelheid vanM. dirhodum bleek tijdelijk zeer hoog te zijn (verdubbelingstijd 1,7 dag tegenover 2,0 voorS. avenae). Over de gehele periode van de epidemie is er weinig verschil in dagelijkse relatieve groeisnelheid van de populatie.Bij de ineenstorting, die altijd begint voor het deegrijpstadium van de tarwe, is van belang het ontstaan van gevleugelde bladluizen. Deze verlaten merendeels het gewas. Het belang van de natuurlijke vijanden voor de afname van de populatie is niet altijd duidelijk maar is soms groot en veroorzaakt dan een vroege ineenstorting van de plaag. M. dirhodum heeft even grote mogelijkheden de plaagstatus te bereiken alsS. avenae maar door zijn soms tijdelijk groter vermeerderingsvermogen zal het voorspellen moeilijker zijn.     

宁夏中宁县麦蚜寄生蜂群落多样性及优势种种群动态

为了解西北干旱区麦田蚜虫寄生蜂的多样性及优势种的种群动态,采用棋盘式五点取样法对宁夏中宁县麦蚜寄生蜂群落组成进行调查与研究,分析其多样性、丰富度、均匀度及优势度指数等指标的变化,应用Gaussian函数对各指标进行拟合,并对寄生蜂优势种的个体发生量进行时间动态描述。结果显示,该地区共调查获得麦蚜寄生蜂标本919份,隶属4总科7科12属21种,其中初寄生蜂11种,重寄生蜂10种。燕麦蚜茧蜂Aphidius avenae为初寄生蜂优势种,6月2日个体数达到顶峰,6月8日骤降,6月23日趋于平缓;重寄生蜂优势种为蚜虫宽缘金小蜂Pachyneuron aphidis、宽肩阿莎金小蜂Asaphes suspensus和蚜茧蜂长背瘿蜂Alloxysta sp.,前二者个体数均在6月18日达到最大值,6月23日呈下降趋势,后者5月28日上升,6月2日达到顶峰,6月23日缓慢降至最低值。该地区5月初麦蚜初寄生蜂的多样性指数较大,重寄生蜂的多样性指数则在5月中旬开始上升,总群落多样性指数在6月上旬最高;Gaussian函数对寄生蜂群落多样性指数时间动态变化的模型拟合参数表明,复杂农业景观下的寄生蜂物种多样性发生期明显长于简单农业景观。     

Monitoring of the winter populations of cereal aphids near Wageningen,the Netherlands,in 1982/1983

Cereal aphids on a wheat crop were sampled through the winter of 1982/1983 using both fixed and random quadrats.Sitobion avenae overwintered successfully anholocyclically although there was a substantial decline in the population of this species. No evidence for successful anholocyclic overwintering in other aphid species was found, althoughRhopalosiphum padi was seen to colonise the crop in early winter and was found until the end of December.Eggs ofR. padi onPrunus padus were observed through the winter. A steady decline in their numbers occurred. The overall survival rate of the 5385 eggs was c.30%.Eggs ofMetopolophium dirhodum onRosa spp. were also monitored. They also showed a steady decline in numbers through the winter. The overall survival rate of the 1360 eggs was c.34%.Egg hatch in bothR. padi andM. dirhodum was closely synchronised with bud burst of their host plant. For the latter species this resulted in egg hatch starting in January.Samenvatting In de winter van 1982/1983 werden de graanluizen in een tarwegewas regelmatig geteld in willekeurig en in van tevoren gekozen monstereenheden. Hoewel er een aanmerkelijke afname van de populatie vanSitobion avenae werd waargenomen, overwinterde deze soort toch anholocyclish. Er werden geen aanwijzingen gevonden dat de andere bladluissoorten anholocyclish overwinterden hoewel kolonies vanRhopalosiphum padi tot eind december werden waargenomen.De gehele winter werden eieren vanR. padi opPrunus padi aangetroffen, de aantallen ervan namen geleidelijk af; van de 5385 getelde eieren overleefde ongeveer 30%. Ook de aantallen eieren vanMetopolophium dirhodum opRosa spp. werden reglematig vastgesteld; ook hier werd een geleidelijke afname geconstateerd. Van de oorspronkelijk getelde 1360 eieren overleefde ongeveer 34%.Het uitkomen van de eieren vanR. padi enM. dirhodum viel nauw samen met het uitlopen van de knoppen van hun waardplant. VoorM. dirhodum betekende dit dat de eerste eieren al begin januari uitkwamen.     

Cereal aphid flight activity in Hungary and England compared by suction traps

Cereal aphid flight was monitored by 12.2 m suction traps at Szolnok in the middle of the Great Hungarian Plain and at Rothamsted, UK. Flight activities of Rhopalosiphum padi, Metopolophium dirbodum and Sitobion avenae were compared by the cross correlation function (CCF) between Hungary and UK. There was significant synchrony between flight a-tivity in Hungary and UK of R padi, M. dirbodum and S. avenae based on the eight years weekly sample data. The peak flight occurred 1, 3 and 2 weeks later at Rothamsted than at Szolnok for the three species (the CCF values were at – 1 week lag, r = 0.854, – 3 week lag r = 0.809, – 2 week lag r = 0.883, P < 0.05 respectively). When the flights in individual years were compared within species and between places the syn-chrony was lowest for R. padi: – in 4 years out of 8 and there was no synchrony, in the other years when synchrony occurred the time lag varied between – 1 week and – 4 weeks. For M. dirhodum the time lag varied between 1 and – 5 weeks, the synchrony was the best for S. avenae the week lag varied between 0 and – 3 weeks.Our results show that flight activity of cereal aphids at Szolnok occurs 1-3 weeks earlier than at Rothamsted. The crop season is earlier in Hungary than in England.     

New aphid vectors and efficiency of transmission of Potato virus A and strains of Potato virus Y in the UK

The aphid‐transmitted viruses Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato virus A (PVA) commonly affect seed potatoes in the UK. The transmission efficiency for aphid species is used to calculate a potential transmission risk and is expressed as a relative efficiency factor (REF). These REFs have not previously been calculated for UK strains of viruses or aphid clones. Using a previously published method, REFs have been calculated for the aphid species and viruses commonly occurring in UK potatoes. The efficiency of transmission of Myzus persicae is nominally set to a REF of 1 and REFs for other species are calculated relative to this. These data represent the first set of REFs calculated for PVA transmission. Macrosiphum euphorbiae (REF 0.91) was almost as efficient as M. persicae at PVA transmission. The data were further analysed to compare transmission rates of PVY and PVA using a binomial (logit) generalized mixed model to take into account the potential influence of variation in virus titre between leaves. This approach found that there is little variation between the efficiency of transmission between clones of each aphid species or between strains within a virus species. This is a first report that Aphis fabae, Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae, Acyrthosiphon pisum and Cavariella aegopodii have the ability to vector PVA. This study also represents a first report that C. aegopodii has the ability to vector PVY and confirms the potential of S. avenae, A. fabae, M. euphorbiae and Rhopalosiphum padi as important PVY vectors.     

小麦禾谷缢管蚜发生为害与生态环境研究

八十年代以来,我区麦蚜频繁成灾,减产2—3成的麦田较为普遍,研究证明:成灾的主要原因是优势种群已由麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae(Fabr.)转变为禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphumpadi(L.)。田间调查弄清了禾谷缢管蚜在不同海拔高度的早、中、晚播麦田的不同生育阶段,以及在植株各部位的分布。穗期禾谷缢管蚜发生轻重与3月中旬平均温度呈正相关,与3月下旬雨量呈负相关。由此建立了预测禾谷缢管蚜发生程度的多元回归方程式: Y=0.792 0.205X_1-0.015X_2用这个预测式回测8年田间实测值与预测值极近。     

The use of incidence counts for estimation of cereal aphid populations. 3. Population development and the incidencedensity relation

The relation between the population density of the cereal aphid,Sitobion avenae, and the proportion of wheat tillers infested is examined. Three of the six models considered require the assumption that the aphids' spatial configuration can be described by a single statistical distribution; as this is not true forS. avenae these models are unsuitable. When the other three models were applied to field sample data, only that of Nachman (1981) yielded a regression equation that remained constant throughout the development of the aphid population.Samenvatting Om in de praktijk gebruik te kunnen maken van incidentie (de fractie bezette halmen) voor het schatten van graanluispopulaties moet dezelfde relatie tussen dichtheid en incidentie tijdens het hele groeiseizoen gelden. Uit analyses van veldgegevens voor de graanluisSitobion avenae blijkt dat wel het geval te zijn, zodat bepalingen van incidentie kunnen worden gebruikt om de populatiedichtheid betrouwbaar te schatten.     

A survey of aphid parasitoids in Kahramanmaras,Turkey (Hymenoptera: Braconidae,Aphidiinae; and Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

A list of aphid parasitoids found in a survey conducted between 1999 and 2001 in Kahramanmaras Province of Turkey is presented. Nineteen taxa of aphid parasitoids were found on 30 hosts.Pauesia picta (Haliday) is reported for the first time from Turkey. Two check-lists are presented, by host aphids and by plant species. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting April 30, 2004.     

Reduced BYDV–PAV transmission by the grain aphid in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum monococcum</Emphasis> line

The luteovirus Barley yellow dwarf virus–PAV (BYDV–PAV) and its vector, the aphid Sitobion avenae are two major sources of yield losses in cereal crops. We report in this paper the effects of a Triticum monococcum line (TM44), resistant by antibiosis to S. avenae, on the different steps of transmission of one BYDV–PAV isolate by the aphids. First, it was shown that TM44 is strongly resistant to BYDV–PAV transmission, but exclusively when S. avenae is the vector. Second, that TM44 is resistant (1) to BYDV–PAV acquisition by S. avenae and (2) to its inoculation, whatever the respective duration of these two periods. Third, that both resistances have partially additive effects. In the discussion, several lines of evidence are given to support the hypothesis that resistance of TM44 to PAV transmission is due to the same disturbances to S. avenae feeding behaviour that are involved in its antibiosis against this aphid species. Reasons for caution in releasing resistant material in the field are presented.     

A new<Emphasis Type="Italic">Praon</Emphasis> species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of the<Emphasis Type="Italic">Uroleucon</Emphasis> parasitoid complex from the mediterranean area

A new hymenopteran aphid parasitoid species (Praon uroleucon sp. n.) fromUroleucon sp. infestingCarduus acanthoides L. is described from Yugoslavia. It is diagnosed and illustrated with scanning electron microscope photographs and line drawings. The new species is placed in thePraon dorsale species group, and a key to species of that group is provided. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 9, 2002.     

Parasitoid community of the loreyi leaf wormMythimna (Acantholeucania) loreyi: Novel host-parasitoid associations and their efficiency in the eastern mediterranean region of Turkey

The loreyi leaf worm,Mythimna (Acantholeucania) loreyi Duponchel (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a pest of gramineous crops and causes significant economic damage to maize. In field surveys on maize to determine the parasitoid community and its impact on the pest in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, nine parasitoid species were found associated with immature stages ofM. loreyi: The hymenopteran (Braconidae and Ichneumonidae) parasitoidsCotesia (=Apanteles) ruficrus (Haliday),Chelonus oculator Panzer,Meteorus ictericus Nees,Hyposoter didymator (Thunberg),Sinophorus sp.; and the dipteran (Tachinidae) parasitoidsPseudogonia rufifrons Wiedeman,Exorista rossica Mesnil,Gonia picea (Robineau-Desvoidy) andLinnaemya vulpina (Fallen) — the last three recorded for the first time as parasitoids ofM. loreyi in Turkey.C. ruficrus was the dominant parasitoid species, being recovered from 38.5% of the larvae collected and was also the most prevalent species, existing in 91.0% of the fields in whichM. loreyi was found. Total parasitism levels achieved by braconid species was 41.4%, by ichneumonid parasitoids 4.8%, and by tachinid parasitoids 1.9%. In a separate field experiment, seasonal population fluctuations and natural efficiency ofC. ruficrus onM. loreyi were found to be 35.1% and 42.4%, respectively. Population levels ofC. ruficrus were closely related to fluctuations in the population ofM. loreyi, with parasitism ranging between 0 and 77.3% during the study. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Aug. 28, 2005.     

银川平原麦蚜寄生蜂群落结构及其时间动态

在实际调查的基础上,研究了银川平原麦蚜寄生蜂群落结构组成。结果表明,银川平原麦蚜寄生蜂群落包括初寄生蜂和重寄生蜂两个亚群落,共22种,隶属4总科,7科13属。其中初寄生蜂12种,重寄生蜂10种。燕麦蚜茧蜂（Aphidius avenae）为优势种。并采用多样性指数（H′）、丰富度(S)、均匀度(E)及优势度(C)等指标对麦蚜寄生蜂的群落动态进行了初步分析。结果表明：5月份前初寄生蜂的多样性指数较大,重寄生蜂的多样性则在5月中旬开始上升,总群落在6月上旬多样性指数最高。     

Effectiveness of native parasitoids of Myzus persicae in greenhouse environments in India

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is an economically important agricultural pest with over 500 known host plants in the world. The present study recorded the major parasitoids found parasitizing M. persicae on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum [L.]) crops in greenhouses in Himachal Pradesh, India. Three species of hymenopteran parasitoids were reared from M. persicae from this source: Aphelinus asychis Walker (Aphelinidae), Aphidius matricariae Haliday (Braconidae), and Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Braconidae), with parasitism rates per sample date ranging from 2.3–38.6%, 4.8–58.2%, and 2.9–28.4%, respectively, during 2011–2012. This is the first report of parasitoids associated with M. persicae in greenhouse environments in India. The present findings suggest that the management of M. persicae could be possible with the addition of augmentative releases of these parasitoids, which should help reduce pesticide use in Indian vegetable production greenhouses.     

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e. parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.