Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-tsvsl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-26T08:14:06.680Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of parasites and predators on the cereal aphids Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.) and Macrosiphum avenae (F.) (Hem., Aphididae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

G. J. Dean
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, U.K.

Abstract

In a study of aphids and their parasites, hyperparasites and predators in a field of cereals at Rothamsted Experimental Station in 1970–71, samples were taken by counting specimens in 0·3-m lengths of row and by means of a suction trap set 12·2 m above ground and 0·5 km away from the field. Migrant aphids (Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.) and Macrosiphum avenae (F.)) and Braconid parasites (Aphidius spp., Ephedrus plagiator (Nees) and Praon volucre (Hal.)) were caught from April–May to August–September, with most from mid-June to August, whereas hyperparasites (Phaenoglyphis sp., Lygocerus aphidivorus Kieff., Asaphes vulgaris Wlk., Coruna clavata Wlk. and Alloxysta sp.) occurred for more of the year. Of the six parasite species attacking aphids on cereals in 1970–71, three Aphidius spp. were more common than E. plagiator and Praon volucre. Parasitism was higher and aphids were fewer in 1971 than in 1970. In the field, more than 80% of the mummies were of old nymphs; parasitism of live old nymphs and apterae was similar, larger than for alatae, and larger for Metopolophium dirhodum than for Macrosiphum avenae. Hyperparasitism by five species affected parasitism, especially in 1970. Migrant Coccinellids were trapped at the start and end of aphid infestations on cereals, Syrphids mainly in July and August, and other predators for longer. The commonest predators were Coccinella septempunctata L. and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata L. in 1970 and Syrphus balteatus (Deg.) in 1971; the others were scarce. July populations of aphids were primarily reduced by the Syrphids.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Banks, C. J. (1955). An ecological study of Coccinellidae (Col.) associated with Aphis fabae Scop, on Vicia faba.—Bull. ent. Res. 46, 561587.Google Scholar
Burton, J. F. (1950). Observations on a migration of insects over the Thames estuary.—Entomologist 83, 203206.Google Scholar
Chandler, A. E. F. (1968 a). The relationship between aphid infestations and oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera).—Ann. appl. Biol. 61, 425434.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandler, A. E. F. (1968 b).Some host-plant factors affecting oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera).—Ann. appl. Biol. 61, 415423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandler, A. E. F. (1968 c). Some factors influencing the occurrence and site of oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera).—Ann. appl. Biol. 61, 435446.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dean, G. J. W. (1973). Distribution of aphids in spring cereals.—J. appl. Ecol. 10, 447462.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dean, G. J. W. & Luuring, B. B. (1970). Distribution of aphids in cereal crops.—Ann. appl. Biol. 66, 485496.Google Scholar
Dean, G. J. W. & Wilding, N. (1971). Entomophthora infecting the cereal aphids Metopolophium dirhodum and Sitobion avenae.—J. invert. Path. 18, 169176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dean, G. J. W. & Wilding, N. (1973). Infection of cereal aphids by the fungus Entomophthora.—Ann. appl. Biol. 74, 133138.Google Scholar
Duffey, F. (1956). Aerial dispersal in a known spider population.—J. Anim. Ecol. 25, 85111.Google Scholar
Hagen, K. S. & Van Den Bosch, R. (1968). Impact of pathogens, parasites and predators on aphids.—A. Rev. Ent. 13, 325384.Google Scholar
Hodek, I., Novák, K., Skuhravý, V. & Holman, J. (1965). The predation of Coccinella septempunctata L. on Aphis fabae Scop, on sugar beet.—Acta Ent. Bohemoslov. 62, 241253.Google Scholar
Jones, M. G. (1972). Cereal aphids, their parasites and predators caught in cages over oat and winter wheat crops.—Ann. appl. Biol. 72, 1325.Google Scholar
Mackauer, M. & Starý, P. (1967). Index of entomophagous insects. [Delucchi, V. & Remaudière, G. (Eds.)] Hym. Ichneumonoidea, Aphidiidae.—195 pp. Paris, Le François.Google Scholar
Paetzold, D. & vater, G. (1966). Population dynamics of the parasites and hyperparasites of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). Ecology of aphidophagous insects.—In Hodek, I. (Ed.) Ecology of aphidophagous insects. Proceedings of a symposium held in Liblice near Prague, September 27–October 1, 1965. 279281. Prague, Academia. [Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences].Google Scholar
Pollard, E. (1971). Hedges. VI. Habitat diversity and crop pests: a study of Brevicoryne brassicae and its Syrphid predators.—J. appl. Ecol. 8, 751780.Google Scholar
Schlinger, E. I. (1960). Diapause and secondary parasites nullify the effectiveness of roseaphid parasites in Riverside, California 1957–1958.—J. econ. Ent. 53, 151154.Google Scholar
Schneider, F. (1969). Bionomics and physiology of aphidophagous Syrphidae.—A. Rev. Ent. 14, 103124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southwood, T. R. E. & Johnson, C. G. (1957). Some records of insect flight activity in May, 1954, with particular reference to the massed flights of Coleoptera and Heteroptera from concealing habitats.—Entomologist's mon. Mag. 93, 121126.Google Scholar
Spencer, H. (1926). Biology of the parasites and hyperparasites of aphids.—Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 19, 119153.Google Scholar
Starý, P. (1970). Biology of aphid parasites (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) with respect to integrated control.—642 pp. The Hague, Junk. (Series Entomologica volume 6).Google Scholar
Van Emden, H. F. (1966). The effectiveness of aphidophagous insects in reducing aphid populations. In Hodek, I. (Ed.) Ecology of aphidophagous insects. Proceedings of a symposium held in Liblice near Prague, September 27–October 1, 1965. 227235. Prague, Academia. [Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences].Google Scholar
Wilding, N. (1969). The effect of humidity on the sporulation of Entomophthora aphidis and E. thaxteriana.—Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 53, 126130.Google Scholar
Wilding, N. (1971). The effect of temperature on the infectivity and incubation periods of the fungi Entomophthora aphidis and E. thaxterianafor the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. In Society for Invertebrate Pathology. 4th International colloquium on insect pathology, College Park, Md, 25–28 August, 1970. 8488. Beltsville, Md, USDA, ARS, Entomology Research Division.Google Scholar