The role of grasslands in the yearly life-cycle of Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Sweden.

The population density of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) was monitored in spring sown barley and in grasslands (leys and pastures) and a suction trap was used to monitor the flight periodicity of the aphids. Emigrants from the primary host (bird cherry) colonised both grass and cereals in spring and a migration from cereals to grasses took place in mid-summer. There was a negative correlation between the sizes of summer and autumn migration. There was a positive relationship between late summer growth in leys and the size of autumn migrations. It is concluded that the size of the autumn migration is mainly dependent on aphid population growth in grasslands during late summer and autumn.     

Do aphids paint the tree red (or yellow)—can herbivore resistance or photoprotection explain colourful leaves in autumn?

We explored two mutually nonexclusive hypotheses on autumnal leaf colouration. The co-evolutionary hypothesis states that autumnal leaf colouration functions as a handicap signal to herbivorous insects, whereas the photoprotection hypothesis posits that plant pigments primarily protect the plant against cold-induced photoinhibition and enhance nutrient transfer. To contrast both hypotheses, we compared yellow and red leaf colouration in three groups of mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.). Two montane groups of different age were characterised by low aphid numbers and low temperature, and a lowland group by high aphid numbers and high temperature. There were no consistent altitudinal differences in leaf colouration. Compared to young trees, adult trees developed fewer red but more yellow leaves at high altitude. In the lowland population, the development of red leaf colour was related to decreasing daytime temperature, whereas the appearance of yellow leaf colouration corresponded to the decreasing photoperiod. This is consistent with the photoprotection hypothesis. Individual differences in red and yellow leaf colouration were inversely correlated to the number of fruits, which might be interpreted as a trade-off between reproductive and protective commitment. Temperature effects explained variation in aphid numbers over time and leaf colouration explained aphid distribution on a given day. As predicted by the co-evolutionary hypothesis, strongly coloured individuals harboured fewer aphids than green or dull-coloured ones. Since decreasing temperature reduced the number of migrating aphids but induced red leaf colouration, these processes are not mutually fine-tuned, which likely restricts the potential for co-evolution between mountain ash and aphids.     

Dynamics of the Photo-Trophic Termination of Reproductive Diapause in Females of the Multicolored Asian Ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Harmonia axyridis</Emphasis> (Pallas) (Coleoptera,Coccinellidae)

Females of certain aphidophagous ladybirds in the absence of natural protein food (aphids) enter reproductive diapause. Reactivation of diapausing beetles is possible only after consuming the food which is suitable for oogenesis of females and development of larvae. The influence of diet and photoperiod on the dynamics of weight and on the rate of reproductive maturation of reactivating females of Harmonia axyridis was studied under laboratory conditions. The experiments were conducted at combinations of two day lengths (12 and 18 h) with 6 trophic regimes with the following mean numbers of daily consumed aphids: 0 (aphids were absent over the whole experiment), 0.1 (1 aphid was provided every 10 days), 0.5 (1 aphid every second day), 1 (1 aphid every day), 10 (10 aphids every day), and 50 (about 50 aphids every day). Judging from the state of ovarian development estimated by dissection 20 days after the beginning of the experiment, the threshold of the trophic termination of reproductive diapause under the long day conditions lies between the regimes of 0.1 and 0.5 aphids per day, which is approximately equal to the earlier investigated threshold of the trophic induction of diapause. Short day slowed reactivation and has increased the threshold of the trophic response up to 1-10 aphids per day. Based on these data, we conclude that under natural conditions females which entered reproductive diapause because of the absence of aphids are capable of reactivation in the presence of even a minimal amount of natural protein food. Moreover, in spring and summer (when the probability of the increase in aphid abundance is relatively high) reactivation starts at lower prey population density than in autumn, when the appearance of the stable aphid colony (which is necessary to complete the development of the emerged larvae) is less probable.     

Two‐year oscillation cycle in abundance of soybean aphid in Indiana

• 1 The present study evaluated the population dynamics of the heteroecious soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) during an 8‐year period in Indiana, shortly after its detection in North America. Sampling conducted at multiple locations revealed that A. glycines exhibited a 2‐year oscillation cycle that repeated itself four times between 2001 and 2008: years of low aphid abundance were consistently followed by years of high aphid abundance.
• 2 Similar patterns of abundance of A. glycines and coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in soybean fields, both within and between‐years, suggest that late season predation by coccinellids plays a role in the oscillatory cycle of aphids. Insidious flower bugs Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were numerically more abundant than coccinellids, although the lack of synchrony between aphids and predatory bugs suggests that O. insidiosus has a limited influence on between‐year variations in aphid density.
• 3 The inverse relationship between aphid densities before and after the start of the autumn migratory period changes direction in alternate years. High aphid density on soybean in the summer is associated with a reduced number of alate migrants produced in the autumn. Conversely, years with low density aphids on soybean in the summer are characterized by high numbers of alates that migrate to the primary host in the autumn.
• 4 From a pest management perspective, the 2‐year oscillation cycle of A. glycines is a desirable attribute with respect to population dynamics because it implies that aphids cause significant economic damage only in alternate years (as opposed to every year). Cultural practices enhancing the conservation biological control of Coccinellidae may help to preserve the periodicity of aphid infestation and restrict the pest status of A. glycines.

     

Temporal and spatial variability of rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea populations: is there a role of the alternate host plant Plantago major?

• 1 The rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is a pest of economic importance to the apple industry worldwide, particularly in organic apple orchards where no acceptable controls are available. In the Similkameen Valley of British Columbia, Canada, the rosy apple aphid population size varies widely between orchards and between years. To explain this variation, potential environmental correlates of aphid density were evaluated. The architecture of the alternate host was also evaluated for its effect on rosy apple aphid summer survival and reproduction.
• 2 The percentage of trees infested by rosy apple aphids among orchards was in the range 8–94% for trees having at least one cluster with more than ten aphids in 2007 and in the range 0–39% in 2008.
• 3 A general linear model correlating aphid densities to the environmental variables of abundance of the alternate host (plantain Plantago spp.), foliar nitrogen, tree age and planting density, and reduced by stepwise regression, indicated that foliar nitrogen and tree age explained 33% of the variation. Abundance of the summer, alternate food plant, plantain, was not related to later aphid densities on apple trees.
• 4 Plantain architecture, however, influenced aphid numbers and 25‐fold more aphids were found on low‐lying plantain leaves than on more upright leaves. Experimental manipulation of leaf angle and leaf size showed that significantly more aphids occurred on low angle, large leaves. Finally, mowing that encouraged low lying plants prior to spring aphid migration was associated with a four‐fold greater number of both winged and wingless aphids on the plantain.

     

Hoverfly oviposition response to aphids in broccoli fields

The oviposition response of predacious hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) to Brevicoryne brassicae L. and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in commercial broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica L., Plenck (Brassicaceae), fields was investigated at two sites over the course of a growing season. The hoverfly oviposition responses to these aphid species on different parts of the broccoli plant canopy were also examined. There were no hoverfly eggs on broccoli plants without aphids, egg numbers were very low on plants with fewer than 50 aphids, and no peak in oviposition relative to aphid numbers was observed. Within individual plants that were colonized by aphids, there was some oviposition on individual leaves without aphids, and no hoverfly eggs were seen on leaves that had more than 400 aphids. Leaves in the broccoli plant canopy, and the datasets associated with them, were divided into three sections vertically, ‘upper’, ‘middle’, and ‘lower’. Brevicoryne brassicae was more abundant in the upper and middle canopy sections, while M. persicae was found mostly in the lower section. The rate of hoverfly oviposition per aphid was higher in the upper section than in the two other sections. Modeling of the oviposition response using logistic regression showed that the presence of hoverfly eggs was positively correlated with numbers of each aphid species and sampling date.     

区域性农田景观格局对棉蚜种群数量的生态学效应

农田景观格局的变化显著影响害虫的发生和危害,不同景观格局会对害虫的种群数量产生不同程度的影响,因而明确农田景观格局对害虫的生态学效应是控制害虫的重要前提之一。以山东省的棉花种植区为研究区域,选取14个典型的尽量临近不同土地覆盖类型的棉花生产县,通过卫星遥感影像和土地覆盖分类数据综合分析获得取样县/区的景观因子指数,并系统调查对应县/区的棉蚜种群数量。省级范围的大空间尺度下分析景观组成、景观构成和景观结构等多因子分别与棉田中苗蚜和伏蚜种群的相关性。研究结果表明棉蚜的种群数量与景观格局有密切的关系,且棉蚜发生的两个时期苗蚜和伏蚜对景观因子的响应特征并不完全一致。苗蚜的种群数量与景观总面积、耕地的分形指数、县域范围的蔓延度和县域范围的回旋半径等呈显著正相关,与Simpson多样性指标呈显著负相关;伏蚜的种群数量与斑块丰富密度、居住工业交通的蔓延度等呈显著正相关。总之,苗蚜和伏蚜对景观的蔓延度(形)响应基本上是一致的,景观的破碎化程度越小,伏蚜和苗蚜发生越重。而苗蚜和伏蚜对景观多样性(质)的响应不一致,景观多样性高的农田景观不利于苗蚜的发生,对伏蚜的影响不显著;而丰富度密度有助于伏蚜的发生,却对苗蚜没有显著影响。这一结果显示了农业害虫的不同发生时期对农田景观格局响应的复杂性。     

Cereal aphids, their parasites and predators caught in cages over oat and winter wheat crops

The trapping of alate aphids in emergence cages each 1 yd² (0–83 m²) over cereal crops from mid-June to the end of July, 1964 to 1971, always revealed colonies of cereal aphids within the crop. Four species, Sitobion avenae, S. fragariae, Metopolophium dirhodum and Rhopalosiphum padi occurred every year in different proportions. Alate aphids from winter wheat were most numerous in 1968 and fewest in 1967. Alatae developed slightly earlier in cages than in the field and peak catches were a few days earlier than in a nearby 12-2 m suction trap. Cereal aphid colonies were adversely affected by bad weather in May, e.g. in 1969, and by predators. Coccinellidae (chiefly Propylea 14-punctata) were the dominant predators in 1971 and 1968, Syrphidae in 1966, 1971 and 1968 and Chrysopidae in 1970. Parasites belonging mainly to the genus Aphidius were numerous every year. When hyperparasites such as Asaphes vulgaris, Lygocerus sp., Conostigmus sp. and Phaenoglyphis sp. were abundant as in 1967, they affected numbers of aphids in the current year and increased them in the following year (1968), possibly by hindering early, heavy parasitism. Hyperparasites could have an important influence in fluctuations of cereal aphid populations from year to year. Aphids of one species or another are always present in cereal crops in sufficient numbers during the summer months to provide copious quantities of honey dew, and this is unlikely to be a limiting factor in the biology of the wheat bulb fly, Leptohylemyia coarctata.     

Models for spring migration of two aphid species Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) infesting cereals in areas where they are entirely holocyclic

1 Cereals can be attacked severely by the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.), and the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). The time of migration from winter hosts in spring is important regarding input to decision support systems concerning insecticide treatment of aphids. 2 The present study aimed to construct two separate migration models, which could be used immediately for advisors and farmers but also be part of a decision support system for the chemical control of aphids in winter wheat and spring barley. 3 Winter wheat (Triticum sativum Lam.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) fields were monitored from 1991–2005 for the occurrence of grain aphids and bird cherry‐oat aphids, and the data were used to construct migration models. 4 The models were constructed based on all 9 years data and subsequently validated by using all 9 years data, excluding 1 year at a time. 5 The migration model for the grain aphid producing the best forecast was obtained with migration date M (number of days from 1 June), degree‐days (DD) of April (T_a) and DD of May (T_m), with the model being M= 265.0 ? 10.2 log_e(T_a) ? 35.1 log_e(T_m). 6 The migration model for the bird cherry‐oat aphid producing the best forecast was obtained with migration date M (number of days from 15 May), DD of April (T_a) and DD from 1–15 May (T_m1), with the model being M= 294.4 ? 34.7 log_e(T_a) ? 22.5 log_e(T_m1). 7 The models only worked well in areas where the grain aphid and the bird cherry‐oat aphid are entirely holocyclic.     

Annual predictions of the peak numbers of Sitobion avenae infesting winter wheat

Sitobion avenae is the most abundant aphid that infests the ears of winter wheat in central Europe. Control of this pest will benefit from prediction of its maximum abundances on ears. We attempted to predict the maximum numbers of this species infesting the ears using earlier counts of this species in ears and on leaves using data collected in the Czech Republic in 2002–2014. The numbers of aphids on particular leaves and the ears were recorded at weekly intervals. The maximum numbers infesting the ears were significantly related to aphid counts on the ears made 1 week, 2 weeks and even 3 weeks before the peak. A regression based only on plots where there were aphids (non‐zero aphid counts) recorded 3 weeks prior to the peak resulted in a critical number of ≥0.44 aphids/ear, which if exceeded resulted in a harmful maximum abundance of ≥5 aphids/ear at the peak. We also regressed maximum numbers infesting ears on numbers of S. avenae on leaves recorded 1, 2 and 3 weeks after earing, which all resulted in reliable predictions. Regression of maximum abundance on non‐zero aphid counts on the leaves in week 3 after earing revealed a critical number of ≥0.59 aphids/tiller. Zero aphid counts resulted in only 3% of cases of a harmful maximum abundance in ears. Using records of the numbers on flag leaves, which make up 58% of the S. avenae population present on the foliage, also provided reliable predictions of maximum abundance in ears. Predicting maximum numbers of aphids from earlier records of the numbers of aphids on leaves or ears is thus possible. The prediction may be further improved by increasing the precision with which the numbers of aphids initially infesting the crop are estimated.     

Plant‐mediated effects of drought on aphid population structure and parasitoid attack

The effects of predicted climate change on aphid–natural enemy interactions have principally considered the effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration and air temperature. However, increased incidence of summer droughts are also predicted in Northern Europe, which could affect aphid–plant interactions and aphid antagonists. We investigated how simulated summer drought affected the bird cherry–oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi L., and its natural enemy the parasitoid wasp Aphidius ervi. Drought and, to a greater extent, aphids reduced barley ( Hordeum vulgare) dry mass by 33% and 39%, respectively. Drought reduced leaf and root nitrogen concentrations by 13% and 28%, respectively, but foliar amino acid concentrations and composition remained similar. Aphid numbers were unaffected by drought, but population demography changed significantly; adults constituted 41% of the population on drought‐treated plants, but only 26% on those receiving ambient irrigation. Nymphs constituted 56% and 69% of the population on these plants, respectively, suggesting altered aphid development rates on drought‐stressed plants. Parasitism rates were significantly lower on drought‐stressed plants (9 attacks h^?1 compared with 35 attacks h^?1 on ambient‐irrigated plants), most likely because of lower incidence of nymphs and more adults, the latter being more difficult to parasitize. Any physiological changes in individual aphids did not affect parasitoid preferences, suggesting that attacks were postponed because of drought‐induced changes in aphid demography. This study demonstrates the potential for sporadic climate change events, such as summer drought, to be disruptive to herbivore–antagonist interactions.     

Large‐scale migration synchrony between parasitoids and their host

1. Parasitoids are a valuable group for conservation biological control. In their role as regulators of aphid pests, it is critical that their lifecycle is synchronised with their hosts in both space and time. This is because a synchronised parasitoid community is more likely to strengthen the overall conservation biological control effect, thus damping aphid numbers and preventing potential outbreaks. One component of this host–parasitoid system was examined, that of migration, and the hypothesis that peak summer parasitoid and host migrations are synchronised in time was tested. 2. Sitobion avenae Fabricius and six associated parasitoids were sampled from 1976 to 2013 using 12.2‐m suction‐traps from two sites in Southern England. The relationship between peak weekly S. avenae counts and their parasitoids was quantified. 3. Simple regression models showed that the response of the peak parasitoids to the host was positive: generally, more parasitoids migrated with increasing numbers of aphids. Further, when averaged over time, the parasitoid migration peak date corresponded with the aphid migration peak. The co‐occurrence of the peaks was between 51% and 64%. However, the summer peak in aphid migration is not steadily shifting forward with time unlike spring first flights of aphids. Cross‐correlation analysis showed that there were no between‐year lagged effects of aphids on parasitoids. 4. These results demonstrate that the peak in migration phenology between host and parasitoid is broadly synchronised within a season. Because the threshold temperature for flight (> 12 °C) was almost always exceeded in summer, the synchronising agent is likely to be crop senescence, not temperature. Studies are needed to assess the effects of climate change on the mismatch potential between parasitoids and their hosts.     

Top-down control and its effect on the biomass and composition of three grasses at high and low soil fertility in outdoor microcosms

We used outdoor microcosms in order to freely manipulate three trophic levels (ladybird/aphid/grass) at two soil fertility levels (low and high). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that top-down control is only a mechanistic factor at high soil fertility, and (2) that herbivory increases secondary plant succession by preferentially feeding on the fast-growing early-successional grasses. Plant biomass responded dramatically to the high soil fertility treatment, as did aphid numbers in the absence of ladybirds, and ladybird activity (ladybirds feeding on aphids). At low soil fertility, plant biomass was low, aphid numbers were small, and ladybird activity was minimal. Only at high soil fertility did top-down control cause a significant response to plant biomass and species composition. The two fast-growing, early-successional grasses (Poa annua and Arrhenatherum elatius) had a greater biomass in the presence of the ladybirds compared to when the ladybirds were absent, while the slow-growing, late-successional grass (Festuca ovina) suffered. The opposite was found when ladybirds were absent but aphids present. These results suggest that herbivory may increase the rate of secondary succession, but that top-down control of herbivory by carnivores may reduce the impact of herbivory in high productivity communities. Received: 2 May 1997 / Accepted: 25 July 1997     

Density-dependent dispersal may explain the mid-season crash in some aphid populations

Aphid population dynamics during the season show a characteristic pattern with rapid increase in numbers at the beginning followed by a sudden drop in the middle of the season. This pattern is usually associated with predation and/or change in food quality during the summer. By developing a mechanistic model of aphid population dynamics we show that this pattern can arise from density-dependent dispersal behaviour of aphids. The dynamics produced by the model were similar to those observed in real populations of the alder aphid (Pterocallis alni). The two mechanisms required for these oscillations to arise were the perception of density through the number of contacts with other individuals and the inter-generational transfer of information (the maternal effect). Both mechanisms are examples of delayed density-dependence and, therefore, this study adds to the evidence that delayed density-dependence might cause complex population dynamics. To reproduce the seasonal dynamics of the alder aphid with the model, the maternal effect was essential, indicating that this could be an important factor in alder aphid dynamics. According to our model, external regulations (e.g., predation and/or change in food quality) were not required to explain the highly oscillatory population dynamics of aphids during a season.     

Melatonin in the seasonal response of the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

Aphids display life cycles largely determined by the photoperiod.During the warm long-day seasons.most aphid species reproduce by viviparous parthenogenesis.The shortening of the photoperiod in autumn induces a switch to sexual reproduction.Males and sexual females mate to produce overwintering resistant eggs.In addition to this full life cycle(holocycle),there are anholocyelic lineages that do not respond to changes in photoperiod and reproduce continuously by parthenogenesis.The molecular or hormonal events that trigger the scasonal response(i.c,induction of the sexual phenotypes)are still unknown.Although circadian synthesis of melatonin is known to play a key role in vertebrate photoperiodism,the involvement of the circadian clock and/or of the hor-mone melatonin in insect seasonal responses is not so well established.Here we show that melatonin levels in the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum are significantly higher in holocyclice aphids reared under short days than under long days,while no differences were found between anholoeyelic aphids under the same conditions.We also found that melatonin is localized in the aphid suboesophageal ganglion(SOG)and in the thoracic ganglionic mass(TGM).In analogy to vertcbrates,insect-type arylalkxylamine N-acetyltransferases(i-AANATs)are thought to play a key role in melatonin synthesis.We measured the expression of four I-AANAT genes identified in A.pisum and localized two of them in situ in the insect central nervous systems(CNS).Levels of expression of these genes were compatible with the quantities of melatonin observed.Moreover,like melatonin,expression of these genes was found in the SOG and the TGM.     

Summer survival of the green spruce aphid,Elatobium abietinum,in North East Scotland

Summary In North East Scotland small numbers of all developmental stages of the green spruce aphid survived on Sitka spruce needles during the summer months despite the nutritional inadequacy of these needles for aphid survival following population collapse in early summer. The surviving adults lost weight and fat reserves in response to time and contained low numbers of embryos. No metabolic acclimatization of the respiration rate occurred in response to exposure to different temperatures. Aphid respiration rates during summer were significantly higher than those in winter. Therefore, it was concluded that no summer aestivation occurred. Summer survival was dependent on the ability of a few aphids of all instars to survive on the nutritionally inadequate host, these aphids possibly possessing higher than normal fat reserves or feeding on marginally nutritionally superior trees or shoots.     

Preliminary observations on the population development of anystid and free-living mesostigmatic mites in a cereal field in Southern England

The effect of manipulating cereal aphid population development, by either adding aphids or spraying with an aphid-specific insecticide, on the predatory mite fauna was investigated. Populations of the anystid mite, Anystis baccarum (L.) were very small until late June when numbers built up rapidly at the time of the aphid population decline. There was however, no significant relationship between aphids and numbers of mites over the whole season. Preliminary electrophoretic analysis of two enzymes in the gut of anystid mites indicated that they may have been feeding on thrips, Limothrips cerealium Haliday. The free-living soil Mesostigmata had two population peaks, each related, the first positively and the second negatively to aphid populations.     

Temporal dynamics of spread of four viruses within mixed species perennial pastures

Six mixed species, perennial pastures at two locations, A (four pastures) and B (two pastures), were sampled at regular intervals over periods of 10 to 22 months. The predominant plant species present were white clover (Trifolium repens), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). To determine the extent to which incidences of viruses transmitted in different ways change in the same pastures over time, samples of each plant species were taken at random on every visit and tested for virus presence. To help identify factors that might explain changes in virus incidence, records were also made of aphid presence, pasture management practices, grazing regimes, sward height and the relative proportions of different plant species within the swards. Samples of white clover were tested for presence of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and White clover mosaic virus (WCMV), ryegrass for Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and Ryegrass mosaic virus (RyMV), and kikuyu grass for BYDV and potyvirus infection. AMV and WCMV were detected in white clover, and BYDV and RyMV in ryegrass at both locations but often with wide incidence fluctuations for the individual viruses. AMV incidences in white clover ranged from 0% to 19% at A, and from 27% to 100% at B. WCMV incidences in white clover fluctuated between 9% and 46% at B, but never exceeded 1% at A. RyMV incidences in ryegrass fluctuated between 3% and 34% at A, and 19% and 73% at B. BYDV incidences in ryegrass ranged from 0% to 6% at A and 4% to 17% at B. In kikuyu grass, an unknown potyvirus and BYDV were detected twice (1% incidence) and once (4% incidence) respectively at B, and the unknown potyvirus only once (2% infection) at A. During repeated trapping of aphids in four pastures (two each at A and B), numbers of aphids caught varied widely between trapping dates and between individual pastures on the same trapping date. The species caught were Acyrthosiphon kondoi, A. pisum, Aphis craccivora, Rhopalosiphum padi and Therioaphis trifolii. Except in summer, when only T. trifolii was caught, A. craccivora was the most abundant. The trends in incidence for each virus within each pasture were compared with those from the other pastures sampled over identical periods to determine whether there was any commonality. For RyMV in ryegrass, overall incidence trends within the different pastures at both locations resembled each other during the same sampling periods. Within pastures at the same location there was commonality in incidence trends for RyMV and BYDV in ryegrass, but with AMV in white clover periods of similarity were rare even when pastures were adjacent and managed identically. Unravelling the individual effects of alterations in season, vector numbers, mowing, intermittent heavy grazing and pasture species composition on virus incidence proved difficult due to complex interactions between these and other factors influencing new spread or declining virus occurrence.     

Effect of undersowing potatoes with grass on potato aphid numbers

The numbers of the potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Myzus persicae, were counted on potatoes undersown and not undersown with perennial ryegrass in field experiments during 1980 and 1981. The numbers of aphids on potatoes undersown with grass were found generally to be smaller than the aphid numbers on potatoes not undersown with grass. Tuber yields were not significantly reduced by the undersowing of potatoes. The agronomic feasibility of undersowing potatoes for aphid control is discussed.     

Relative suitability of crested wheatgrass and other perennial grass hosts for the Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (Homoptera: Aphididae), reproduces parthenogenetically in North America and must survive year-round on host plants, including in late summer when small grains are not in cultivation. During this time, cool-season perennial wheatgrasses (Poaceae: Triticeae) contribute substantially to aphid survival, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.) particularly. In greenhouse studies, the number of aphids per plant was measured after four infestation periods on unvernalized and vernalized wheatgrasses. Before placement on these test plant species, aphids were reared either on winter wheat or on the grass host species on which aphid progeny were counted. On vernalized plants, aphids reared on wheat resulted in more aphids per test plant than when the aphids were reared on wheatgrasses, but on unvernalized plants the number of aphids per test plant did not differ significantly regardless of rearing host. Aphids on crested wheatgrass were similar in number to the other grasses when plants were unvernalized. However, when plants were vernalized, crested wheatgrass supported significantly more aphids than some of the other hosts. Aphid numbers increased on all test species as infestation period lengthened, and plant growth was largely unaffected by aphid feeding. These results suggest if sufficient moisture is available during summer when small grains are not in cultivation, all host species observed are capable of sustaining aphids. Crested wheatgrass is an abundant and important host of the Russian wheat aphid in its northern range of the western United States, but other less prevalent wheatgrasses also may contribute to aphid survival during late summer when small grains are not in cultivation.