Efficacy of Insecticides against the Invasive Apricot Aphid, Myzus mumecola

Abstract

The invasive apricot aphid (Myzus mumecola Matsumura) is an important pest of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L.). In the presented study, laboratory bioassays using treated leaf disks of apricot were conducted to test the efficacy of twelve insecticides according to the maximum field dose. Additionally, dose-response curves were established for selected insecticides, and the effects on colony development were evaluated. Furthermore, a field trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of commonly used insecticides in apricot cultivation. The dose-response curves showed LC50 values ranging from 0.08 mg/L for flupyradifurone, 0.15 mg/L for acetamiprid, 0.70 mg/L for etofenprox, 1.89 mg/L for sulfoxaflor, 2.64 mg/L for pirimicarb, 3.97 mg/L for deltamethrin, up to 6.79 mg/L for tau-fluvalinate. These aforementioned insecticides resulted in mortality rates ranging from 95 to 100% at the field dose. Azadirachtin, flonicamid, and pyrethrins showed mortality rates of 27 to 45%. Spirotetramat reduced the colony development and decreased the number of infested shoots by 86%. Spinosad, which is not recommended against aphids, showed minimal impact; reducing the number of exuviae in nymphs in the colony development bioassay. It can be concluded that the majority of the tested insecticides are effective against M. mumecola.

Further spread of the invasive apricot aphid Myzus mumecola (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Central Europe and first insights into its phylogeny

“…In organic farming, this includes applications of mineral and plant oils, neem, pyrethrins or soaps (Penvern et al., 2010). A screening showed that insecticides allowed for organic production have a minor efficiency in the successful control of M. mumecola compared to those used in integrated pest management (Tabet et al., 2023). Therefore, especially in organic farming, where fewer control options are available, the production of large colonies caused considerable damage.…”

“…Sampled aphids were identified based on their morphological characteristics using stereo-and light microscopy. Other aphid species found in the past on apricot trees in Europe differ significantly in terms of size and colour (Blackman & Eastop, 1994;Borbély et al, 2021;Panini et al, 2017;Petrović-Obradović, 2021;Tabet et al, 2023).…”

“…(2017) identified this species as Myzus mumecola (Matsumura, 1917) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Further first reports for European countries (Borbély et al., 2021; EPPO, 2022; Petrović‐Obradović, 2021) and preliminary studies on the control of this new pest in apricot cultivation (Tabet et al., 2023) used available identification keys and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences from Japan (AB738876, AB738877) for the identification of this species. The species' host range seems to be narrow and known host plants of M. mumecola are reported to be apricots ( Prunus armeniaca L.), Japanese apricots ( Prunus mume (Siebold)) (Kimura et al., 2016; Panini et al., 2017), and Prunus cornuta (Basu & Raychaudhuri, 1976).…”

“…The species' host range seems to be narrow and known host plants of M. mumecola are reported to be apricots ( Prunus armeniaca L.), Japanese apricots ( Prunus mume (Siebold)) (Kimura et al., 2016; Panini et al., 2017), and Prunus cornuta (Basu & Raychaudhuri, 1976). Unlike other aphid species present on apricot in Europe, which are overwintering on apricot and producing small colonies like Myzus persicae (Jevremović et al., 2016), Phorodon humuli (Knoll et al., 2004), Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycaudus cardui and Hyalopterus pruni (Özgökçe & Atlıhan, 2005), a heavy infestation with the invasive species results in economically important damage (Panini et al., 2017; Tabet et al., 2023). On apricot, this species was described to cause curled and discoloured leaves on young shoots (Panini et al., 2017).…”

Compatibility of Bioinsecticides with Parasitoids for Enhanced Integrated Pest Management of Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta

“…Arthropod pests are among the major unintentionally introduced species and their invasion trend is projected to increase over time, especially in Europe, where they cause significant economic losses and ecological disruptions [5]. Although current guidelines promote integrated pest management (IPM) programs that minimize chemical inputs, insecticides represent the main tool approached by farmers to manage invasive pest infestations [6][7][8]. This attitude is largely due to the lack of cost-effective control strategies in the invaded regions [9][10][11] and the effectiveness of chemical insecticides for a quick reduction in pest populations [12,13].…”