The Common Black Ant, Lasius niger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), as a Vector of the Entomopathogen Lecanicillium longisporum to Rosy Apple Aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Homoptera: Aphididae) |
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Authors: | Annette E Bird Helen Hesketh Jerry V Cross Mike Copland |
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Institution: |
a Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine Silwood Park, Buckhurst Road SL5 7PY UK.
b East Malling Research, New Road East Malling UK.
c Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine Wye, Kent, TN25 5AH. |
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Abstract: | The potential for common black ant Lasius niger workers to vector conidia of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium longisporum to colonies of the rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea was assessed in laboratory and field experiments. Scanning electron microscope studies showed that L. niger workers which were artificially contaminated with L. longisporum conidia, carried conidia primarily on their tarsae but also on antennae and mandibles. Neither L. niger workers nor larvae were susceptible to infection with L. longisporum. Workers which were artificially contaminated with conidia of L. longisporum initiated infection in colonies of healthy D. plantaginea on apple. Mortality due to L. longisporum was recorded as 68.3, 30.8 and 3.7% of aphids under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions, respectively. |
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Keywords: | Biocontrol Entomopathogenic Fungus Vector Disseminate Lecanicillium Longisporum Lasius Niger Dysaphis Plantaginea |
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