Presence of the Aphid,Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, on Strawberry in Argentina

Abstract

Seasonal abundance of the strawberry aphid complex under different agronomic practices in the outskirts of La Plata, Argentina was studied on strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Rosales: Rosaceae). Aphid densities were low in strawberry fields in which insecticides and fungicides were used. In addition to Aphis gossypii, Aphis fabae, Mysus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae, the aphid, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Aphididae), was recorded for the first time in this horticultural area. Life history and some demographic parameters were calculated for C. fragaefolii. The mean duration of nymphal stages was 10.44 days, the oviposition period was 11.8 days, and the mean number of nymph/female/day was 2.4 ± 0.3. Demographic parameters analyzed included the net reproductive rate Ro = 14.55 ± 0.096 nymph/female, generation time T=16.91 ± 0.035 days, and the intrinsic rate of increase rm = 0.158 ± (0.004). No parasites were found associated with C. fragaefolli. The pathogenic fungus, Entomophthora planchoniana Cornu (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) was the main mortality factor. Although aphids are not the main pests in strawberry fields, C. fragaefolii can be a serious problem because it can transmit several virus diseases of strawberry. Greater knowledge of life history traits and mortality factors of this species is needed in order to design appropriate control strategies.

Biological parameters and fertility life table of Aphis forbesi Weed, 1889 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on strawberry

“…These results are different from the results of Dixon (1987) and Minks and Harrewijn (1987), who reported that aphids generally undergo four nymphal instars, although part of the population will only undergo three (Kairo and Murphy, 1999). Bernardi et al (2012) observed four nymphal instars for C. fragaefolii on strawberry, however, Chagas Filho et al (2005) and Cédola and Greco (2010) reported the existence of a fifth instar. That is, although the most common is four instars for most aphids, it is found that variations can occur in quantities of the instars.…”

“…Cédola and Greco (2010) observed 11.8 days in the reproductive period of the C. fragaefolli. Bernardi et al (2012) found a cycle life of 17.17 days for C. fragaefolli in the cultivar Albion.…”

“…The Aphis forbesi Weed, commonly known as the root aphid is native to North America (Blackman and Eastop, 2006), it is an aphid pest affecting strawberry crops (Passos et al, 2000;Cédola and Greco, 2010;Araujo et al, 2013;Bernardi et al, 2013;Zawadneak et al, 2014). A. forbesi is also reported as a vector of the strawberry crinkle virus (Babovic and Krczal, 1976).…”

Efeito da azadiractina sobre Chaetosiphon fragaefolli (Cockerell, 1901) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) na cultura do morangueiro

“…O pulgão-verde Chaetosiphon fragaefolli (Cockerell, 1901) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) é o principal afídeo associado à cultura do morangueiro em diversos países, tais como Estados Unidos, Canadá, Argentina, Grã-Bretanha, África do Sul, Nova Zelândia e Austrália (RONDON;CANTCLIFFE, 2004;CÉDOLA;GRECO, 2010). No Brasil, a espécie é relatada como o principal inseto-praga da cultura (COSTA et al, 1993;BOTTON et al, 2010).…”

Occurrence of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson, 1880) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) parasitizing Aphis forbesi Weed, 1889 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the strawberries crop in the metropolitan Region of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

“…Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are considered key pests of strawberry plants (Botton et al 2010;Cédola and Greco, 2010). Among the aphid species related to this culture, Aphis forbesi Weed, 1889, a monophagous species known as root aphid (Botton et al, 2010) stands out.…”