Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Life table of the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus asychis (Walker)(Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) parasitizing different age groups of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae)

Biologische Eigenschaften von Aphelinus asychis (Walker) (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) bei Parasitierung unterschiedlicher Altersstufen von Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae)

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current laboratory study was designed to evaluate developmental duration, pupal mortality, sex ratio, longevity, fecundity and host feeding behaviour of the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus asychis (Walker) (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) parasitizing different age groups of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae) at 25 ± 1°C temperature, 60 ± 10% Rh and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). The results show that the development from egg to adult was significantly affected by host age. It was completed in 14.5 and 14.4 days in 1–2 day old A. gossypii-nymphs, 13.5 and 13.1 days in 4–5 day old nymphs as well as 12.3 and 12.2 days with adults as host for females and males, respectively. No significant differences of pupal mortality and percentage of females among host age groups were detected. The mean percentage of mortality parasitizing different host age groups varied between 23.6 and 26.8%. The sex ratio (♀♀:♂♂) of A asychis with 1–2 day old A. gossypii-nymphs as host was 1:0.9, with 4–5 day old nymphs 1:0.7 and with adult aphids as host 1:0.9. On the average of 32.8 days females lived slightly longer when parasitizing and host feeding on 1–2 day old aphid nymphs than with 4–5 day old nymphs or adults as host. Females lived significantly longer than males. The fecundity of A. asychis- females was highest parasitizing the first age group (232.3 eggs/♂), followed by adults (44.7 eggs/♂) and by the second age group (21.1 eggs/♂). Highly significant differences were also found in the total number of aphids consumed by host feeding. A. asychis host fed on 161.2 aphids of the first age group, followed by 87.9 aphids of the second age group and 42.7 adult hosts. The present study suggests that short developmental duration, high proportion of females, high longevity, high fecundity and host feeding as well as its preference for younger aphid hosts are properties that make A. asychis an interesting alternative for biological control of the cotton aphid in greenhouses.

Zusammenfassung

In der vorliegenden Studie wurden die Entwicklungsdauer, Mortalität, Geschlechterverhältnis, Lebensdauer, Reproduktion und das „host feeding” des Parasitoiden Aphelinus asychis (Walker) (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) bei verschiedenen Wirtsaltersstufen von Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae) und bei einer Temperatur von 25 ± 1°C, einer relativen Luftfeuchte von 60 ± 10% und einer Photoperiode von 16:8 h (L:D) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die gesamte Entwicklungsdauer von der Eiablage bis zum Schlupf der Adulte sich signifikant zwischen den drei Wirtsaltersstufen unterschied. Mit 1–2 Tage alten A. gossypü-Nymphen als Wirt dauerte die Entwicklung im Durchschnitt 14,5 (♂♂) und 14,4 (♀♀) Tage, mit 4–5 Tage alten Nymphen als Wirt 13,5 (♂♂) und 13,1 (♀♀) Tage und bei adulten Wirten 12,3 (♂♂) and 12,2 (♀♀) Tage. Die Mortalität blieb unbeeinflusst durch das Wirtsalter und schwankte zwischen durchschnittlich 23,6 and 26,8%. Beim Geschlechterverhältnis (♀♀:♂♂) konnten ebenso keine signifikanten Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Es betrug 1:0,9 bei 1–2 Tage alten Blattlausnymphen, 1:0,7 bei 4–5 Tage alten Nymphen und 1:0,9 bei adulten Wirten. Mit durchschnittlich 32,8 Tagen war die Lebensdauer von A. asychis mit 1–2 Tage alten Wirten tendenziell höher als mit 4–5 Tage alten (25,2 Tage) oder adulten Wirten (24,2 Tage). Weibchen lebten signifikant länger als Männchen. Die Reproduktion in der jüngsten Wirts alters stufe war signifikant am höchsten (232,8 Eier/♂), gefolgt von Adulten (44,7 Eier/♂) und der zweiten Wirtsaltersstufe (21,1 Eier/♂). Ferner konnte ein signifikanter Einfluss des Wirtsalters auf das host feeding ermittelt werden. Die durchschnittliche Anzahl durch host feeding ausgesaugter 1–2 Tage alter Blatt-lausnymphen war höher (161,2 Individuen) als die Anzahl ausgesaugter 4–5 Tage alter (87,9 Individuen) oder adulter Blattläuse (42,7 Individuen). Durch seine kurze Entwicklungsdauer, den hohen Weibchenanteil, die lange Lebensdauer, die hohe Reproduktion und host feeding sowie durch die Präferenz gegenüber jüngerer Wirte, stellt A. asychis eine interessante Alternative für die biologische Bekämpfung der Baumwollblattlaus dar.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature

  • Ahmad, M., M.I. Arif, I. Denholm, 2003: High resistance of field populations of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover (Ho- moptera: Aphididae) to pyrethroid insecticides in Pakistan. J. Econ. Entomol. 96, 875–878.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Albert, R., F. Merz, 1995: The cotton aphid is difficult to cope with. TASPO-Gartenbaumagazin 4, 40–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai, B., 1991: Conspecific superparasitism in 2 parasitoid wasps, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Aphelinus asychis Walker — reproductive strategies influence host discrimination. Can. Entomol. 123, 1229–1237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, B., M. Mackauer, 1990a: Oviposition and host feeding patterns in Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) at different aphid densities. Ecol. Entomol. 15, 9–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, B., M. Mackauer, 1990b: Host discrimination by the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) — when superparasitism is not adaptive. Can. Entomol. 122, 363–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, J., D. Gonzalez, 1993: Temperature requirements of 4 parasites of the Russian Wheat Aphid Diuraphis noxia. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 69, 173–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bueno, R., J.D. Stone, 1987: Reproductive response of Aphelinus perpallidus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) to age of its parent and density of its host, Monellia caryella (Homoptera: Aphidae). Environ. Entomol. 16, 877–880.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunger, I., H.P. Liebig, C.P.W. Zebitz, 1999: Befall von Gewächshausgurken durch verschiedene Blattlausarten und ihre biologische Bekämpfung. Ges. Pfl. 51, 75–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cate, R.H., R.D. Eikenbary, R.D. Morrison, 1977: Preference for and effect of Greenbug parasitism and feeding by Aphelinus asychis. Environ. Entomol. 6, 547–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, N.C., J.H. Lee, S.D. Kindler, 1999: Parasitism of several aphid species by Aphelinus asychis (Walker) and Aphelinus albipodus Hayat and Fatima. Southwest. Entomol. 24, 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furk, C., C.M. Hines, 1993: Aspects of insecticide resistance in the melon and cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Ann. Appl. Biol. 123, 9–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerling, D., B.D. Roitberg, M. Mackauer, 1990: Instar-specific defense of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum — Influence on oviposition success of the parasite Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). J. Insect Behav. 3, 501–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagvar, E.B., T. Hofsvang, 1991: Aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphididae): biology, host selection and use in biological control. Biocontrol News Inform. 12, 13–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J.S., D.B. Gelman, M.B. Blackburn, 2002: Growth and development of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in the Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorium (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae): Effect of host age. Arch. Insect Biochem. 49, 125–136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, H.B., R.D. Eikenbary, 1971: Bionomics of Aphelinus asychis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) an introduced parasite of sorghum Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 64, 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kouame, K.L., M. Mackauer, 1991: Influence of aphid size, age and behaviour on host choice by the parasitoid wasp Ephedrus californicus — a test of host-size models. Oecologia 88, 197–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J.H., N.C. Elliott, 1998: Comparison of developmental responses to temperature in Aphelinus asychis (Walker) from two different geographic regions. Southwest. Entomol. 23, 77–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon, J.P., 1976: Les populations aphidienne en serre et leur limitation par utilisation experimentale de divers entomoph- ages. Srop/Wprs Bull. 4, 64–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackauer, M., 1982: Fecundity and ho st utilization of the aphid parasite Aphelinus semiflavus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) at two host densities. Can. Entomol. 114, 721–726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O‘Brien, P.J., J.B. Graves, 1992: Insecticide resistance and reproductive biology of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae). Southwest. Entomol. 17, 115–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pak, G.A., 1986: Behavioral variations among strains of Trichogramma spp — a review of the literature on host-age selection. J. Appl. Entomol. 101, 55–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raney, H.G., F. Bridgwater, R.D. Eikenbary, R.D. Morrison, 1973: Predicting parasitism by Aphelinus asychis. Environ. Entomol. 2, 859–861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raney, H.G., L.W. Coles, R.D. Eikenbary, R.D. Morrison, K.J. Starks, 1971: Host preference, longevity, developmental period and sex ratio of Aphelinus asychis with 3 sorghum-fed species of aphids held at controlled temperatures. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 64, 169–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, A., C. Sengonca, 2001: Life table of the predatory bug Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner (Het., Miridae) by feeding on Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae) as a prey. J. Plant Dis. Protect. 108, 608–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scopes, N.E., S.M. Biggerstaff, 1976: Natural control of Aphis gossypii. Glasshouse Crops Research Institute. Annual Report 1975, 98–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengonca, C., A. Saleh, 2002: Prey consumption of the predatory bug Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) during nymphal and adult stages by feeding on Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) as prey. J. Plant Dis. Protect. 109, 430–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengonca, C., A. Saleh, P. Blaeser, 2002: Einfluss des Alters von Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom.;Aphididae) als Beute auf die Prädationsleistung der polyphagen, räuberischen Wanze Dicyphus tamaninii (Het., Miridae). Ges. Pfl.. 54, 61–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sequeira, R., M. Mackauer, 1994: Variation in selected life-history parameters of the prasitoid wasp, Aphidius ervi — Influence of host developmental stage. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 71, 15–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smilowitz, E.A., G.F. Iwantsch, 1973: Relationships between the parasitoid Hyposoter exiguae and the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni: Effects of host age on developmental rate of the parasitoid. Environ. Entomol. 2, 759–763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stary, P., 1988: Aphelinidae. In: A.K. Minks and P. Harrewijn (eds.): Aphids — Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Vol. 2B., pp. 185–188 Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Y.Q., R.K. Yokomi, 1996: Biology of Aphelinus spiraecolae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of the Spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae). Environ. Entomol. 25, 519–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatsumi, E., H. Takada, 2005: Evaluation of Aphelinus asychis and Aphelinus albipodus (Hym., Aphelinidae) as biological control agents against three pest aphids. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 40, 379–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tokumaru, S., H. Takada, 1996: Numbers of eggs deposited and host feeding in Aphelinusgossypii Timberlake (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae). Jpn. J. Appl. Entomol. Z. 40, 242–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, J.H., J.J. Wang, 2002: Host age choice for parasitism by Lysiphlebia mirzai and its effect on the development and reproduction of brown citrus aphid. Biocontrol 47, 645–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Schelt, J., 1993: Market-driven research and development in biological control. Pestic. Sci. 37, 405–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steenis, M.J., 1993: Intrinsic rate of increase of Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hym., Braconidae), a parasitoid of Aphis gossypii Glov. (Hom., Aphididae), at different temperatures. J. Appl. Entomol. 116, 192–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steenis, M.J., 1994: Intrinsic rate of increase of Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson (Hym., Braconidae), a parasitoid of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae) at different temperatures. J. Appl. Entomol. 118, 399–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steenis, M.J., 1995: Evaluation of four aphidiine parasi- toids for biological control of Aphis gossypii. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 75, 151–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steenis, M.J., K.A.M.H. El-Khawass, 1995: Behavior of Aphidius colemani searching for Aphis gossypii — Functional-response and reaction to previously searched aphid colonies. Biocontrol Sci. Techn. 5, 339–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villatte, F., D. Auge, P. Touton, R. Delorme, D. Fournier, 1999: Negative cross-insensitivity in insecticide-resistant cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 65, 55–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wahab, W.A., 1985: Observations on the biology and behavior of Aphelinus abdominalis Dalm (Hym., Aphelinidae), a parasite of aphids. J. Appl. Entomol. 100, 290–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K.Y., T.X. Liu, X.Y. Jiang, M.Q. Yi, 2001: Cross-resistance of Aphis gossypii to selected insecticides on cotton and cucumber. Phytoparasitica 29, 393–399.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilbert, H., 1964: Das Ausleseverfahren von Aphelinus semi- flavus Howard und die Abwehrreaktionen seiner Wirte. Beitr. Entomol. 14, 159–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zohdy, N.Z.M., 1976: Effect of food of Myzuspersicae Sulzer on hymenopterous parasite Aphelinus asychis Walker. Oecologia 26, 185–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology and Plant Protection, INRES — Phytomedizin, University of Bonn, Nussallee 9, D-53115, Bonn, Germany

    C. Sengonca, S. Schirmer & P. Blaeser

Authors
  1. C. Sengonca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Schirmer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Blaeser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Sengonca.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sengonca, C., Schirmer, S. & Blaeser, P. Life table of the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus asychis (Walker)(Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) parasitizing different age groups of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae). J Plant Dis Prot 115, 122–128 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356251

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03356251

Key words

Stichwörter

Search

Navigation