QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF APHIDIUS SMITHI (HYMENOPTERA: APHIDIIDAE): FECUNDITY, INTRINSIC RATE OF INCREASE, AND FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE

1983 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Mackauer

AbstractThe reproductive and demographic statistics of Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao parasitizing third-instar pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, were determined under constant laboratory conditions. At host densities of 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 or 100 aphids/day, the parasite lived an average of 7 days at 20.5 °C. At host densities of ≤20 aphids/day, the total number of eggs laid and the total number of hosts attacked were limited by the numbers of hosts available. Fecundity was highest with an average of 870 eggs/female at density 100; the maximum number of eggs laid by any female was 1770. Superparasitism was common at all densities, resulting in up to 84% (at density 5) of all eggs being wasted. The relationship between host density and the number of aphids attacked per egg laid was linear for densities of ≥20 aphids/day. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) varied with the host density. It reached maximum value at density 100, calculated as 0.358 female/female/day and assuming an overall sex ratio of 1:1 males:females. Regression equations describing r as a function of host density and parasite sex ratio are provided. It is shown that the potential rate of increase of A. smithi exceeds that of the pea aphid over a broad range of average conditions. The parasite's functional response was convex (Holling type II) and decelerated with increasing density. The intrinsic attack rate (a′) and handling time (Th) were estimated from the functional response curve as a′ = 6.62 days−1 and Th = 0.0033 day (4.7 min). The ‘random parasite’ equation satisfactorily predicted the number of aphids attacked at each density.

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Duc Tung ◽  
LUONG THI HUYEN ◽  
DANG HUONG LAN ◽  
CAO VAN CHI ◽  
PATRICK DE CLERCQ ◽  
...  

Development time, survival, reproduction, and sex ratio were determined for the predatory mite Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) at six constant temperatures (20, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5 and 35 oC) reared on citrus red spider mite Panonychus citri (McGregor). No predatory mite reached adulthood at 35oC. All female and male immature stages of N. longispinosus developed significantly faster as the temperature increased from 20to 30 oC, but development slowed down as the temperature exceeded 30 oC. The mean total developmental time of females was longest at 20 °C (9.73 days), followed by 25oC (5.67 days), 27.5oC (4.46 days), and 32.5 oC (4.55 days) and was shortest at 30oC (3.69 days). The oviposition rate and lifetime fecundity were highest at 27.5 oC (2.80 eggs/female/day and 43.76 eggs/female, respectively) and lowest at 20 oC (0.78 eggs/female/day and 21.64 eggs/female, respectively). However, temperature had no influence on the sex ratio of offspring with the proportion of females ranging from 0.62 to 0.65. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of N. longispinosus averaged 0.323, 0.303, 0.267, 0.189 and 0.107 females female−1 day−1 at 30, 27.5, 32.5, 25, and 20°C, respectively. These values suggested that the most optimal temperatures for the population growth of N. longispinosus were between 27.5 and 30oC. 


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247978
Author(s):  
Maria Pobożniak ◽  
Małgorzata Gaborska ◽  
Tomasz Wójtowicz

Damage caused to cultivated carrots by the hawthorn-carrot aphid, Dysaphis crataegi Kalt. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the factors limiting carrot production in Poland. Planting resistant and tolerant cultivars could reduce yield losses due to the damage caused by this pest. This study was conducted to evaluate the resistance and/or tolerance of 10 carrot genotypes to hawthorn-carrot aphid. Their field resistance was determined under field conditions based on five indicators, namely, mean number of alates (migrants) per plant and mean percentage of plants colonized by them, mean seasonal number of aphids per plant, mean number of aphids per plant and mean percentage of infested plants at peak abundance. Antibiosis experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions and pre-reproductive, reproductive time, fertility, and demographic parameters, represented by the net reproduction rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and mean generation time (T), were calculated. Five cultivars, Afro F1, Nipomo F1, Samba F1, White Satin F1, and Yellowstone showed field resistance. Antibiosis experiments revealed significant differences among the carrot cultivars in the length of the reproductive period, female fecundity in the time equal to the pre-reproduction time, and total progeny of hawthorn-carrot aphid. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) for apterous aphids varied significantly, ranging between 0.181 (Nipomo F1) and 0.343 females/female/day (White Satin F1). Additionally, the estimated net reproductive rate (R0) was the lowest on Nipomo F1, and this genotype was determined to be resistant. Our results suggest that a very high density of trichomes on the leaf petioles (71.94 trichomes/cm2) could adversely affect the feeding, bionomy, and demographic parameters of hawthorn-carrot aphid on the cultivar Nipomo F1. In addition, Napa F1 and Kongo F1 demonstrated high tolerance. Considering all the results collectively, four genotypes, Afro F1, Kongo F1, Napa F1 and Nipomo F1, were relatively resistant/tolerant to the hawthorn-carrot aphid.


2021 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin John Martin ◽  
Zuqing Hu ◽  
Zhiqiang Lu

Background: Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) possess a weak immune system, but they can firmly mount immunological responses. However, the influence of different plants on their defense against different microbes remains largely unknown. In addition, no previous research has integrated the growth, reproduction, and defense responses of pea aphids feeding on different plants. Objective: This study aims to investigate the growth, reproduction, and defense responses of pea aphids feeding on different plants. Methods: Pea aphids were cultivated on both Medicago sativa and Vicia faba. Growth and reproduction were evaluated. Additionally, we monitored the survival and microbial loads of pea aphids after bacterial and fungal infections. Results : Pea aphids reared on M. sativa had lower growth, lower intrinsic rate of increase, and lower finite rate of increase when compared to aphids feeding on V. faba. The net reproduction was lower in aphids feeding on M. sativa, although the difference was not significant. The mean time of generation and pre-reproductive periods was longer for aphids reared on M. sativa than for aphids reared on V. faba. In the infection experiments, we found that aphid survival was not affected by the host plant. However, A. pisum reared on M. sativa generally harbored fewer microbial loads than those reared on V. faba. Conclusions: The growth and reproduction of pea aphids are affected by the host plant. Aphids feeding on different plants had different tolerances to microbial infections. Our study sheds light on improving biological control programs for aphids.


1977 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Campbell ◽  
M. Mackauer

AbstractThe effect of temperature on the age-specific fecundity and the survival of apterous and alate virginoparous pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), from Kamloops, B.C., was measured. Demographic statistics were estimated for 10.3°, 14.8°, 19.7°, 26.1°, and 27.8°C constant and for fluctuating field temperatures. On a 24-h-day time-scale, temperature and longevity were inversely related in both morphs; total fecundity was highest at average and low constant temperatures. On a physiological time-scale, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was insensitive to changes in constant temperature in the range between 10° and 20°C; temperatures above 25°C were detrimental to aphid population growth and survival. Alate virginoparae generally had a longer pre-reproductive period and achieved a lower mean total fecundity than apterae maintained under identical conditions. The usefulness of laboratory measurements for the prediction of population growth under variable field temperatures is discussed. Differences in the reproductive patterns of alate and apterous pea aphids are considered in the context of the r- and K-hypothesis of selection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Hamada ◽  
J. Fatehi ◽  
L.M.V. Jonsson

AbstractThiamine is a vitamin that has been shown to act as a trigger to activate plant defence and reduce pathogen and nematode infection as well as aphid settling and reproduction. We have here investigated whether thiamine treatments of seeds (i.e. seed dressing) would increase plant resistance against aphids and whether this would have different effects on a generalist than on specialist aphids. Seeds of wheat, barley, oat and pea were treated with thiamine alone or in combination with the biocontrol bacteriaPseudomonas chlororaphisMA 342 (MA 342). Plants were grown in climate chambers. The effects of seed treatment on fecundity, host acceptance and life span were studied on specialist aphids bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padiL.) and pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisumHarris) and on the generalist green peach aphid (Myzus persicae, Sulzer). Thiamine seed treatments reduced reproduction and host acceptance of all three aphid species. The number of days to reproduction, the length of the reproductive life, the fecundity and the intrinsic rate of increase were found reduced for bird cherry-oat aphid after thiamine treatment of the cereal seeds. MA 342 did not have any effect in any of the plant-aphid combinations, except a weak decrease of pea aphid reproduction on pea. The results show that there are no differential effects of either thiamine or MA 342 seed treatments on specialist and generalist aphids and suggest that seed treatments with thiamine has a potential in aphid pest management.


1970 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 123-127
Author(s):  
Md Matiur Rahman ◽  
Pankoj Kumar Sarker ◽  
Bidhan Chandra Das

Context: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of Aphis gossypii is important factor to know the actual increase of population which is governed by physical factors of environment.Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii which is the basic knowledge of IPM program.Materials and Methods: The nymphal duration, pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, fecundity, longevity, etc. were observed within the glass chimneys. The newly born nymphs were considered as F1 generations. Similarly, the first progeny of F1 generation were released in other glass chimneys to have F2 generation. In this way, F3, F4 and F5 generations were obtained. Data for duration between birth of a nymph and its first laid progeny (d) and number of progeny (Md) per female were recorded. Altogether data of 8 replications were considered for the calculation of intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii infesting brinjal plants.Results: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) value was highest (0.322 ± 0.005) for the F1 generation, followed by F2 (0.317 ± 0.003) and it was lowest (0.303 ± 0.002) for F5 generation. Temperature influenced the (rm) significantly (r= 0.903, p<0.05). Dew point also influenced the rm of A. gossypii significantly (0.882 P<0.05). Relative humidity played insignificant role (r= 0.428) on the rm of A. gossypii.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study are essential to know the actual populations increase which important to pest control.Key words: Aphis gossypii; brinjal; intrinsic rate of increase.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7118J. bio-sci. 17: 123-127, 2009


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Jeong Joon Ahn ◽  
Jum Rae Cho ◽  
Jeong-Hwan Kim ◽  
Bo Yoon Seo

The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a cosmopolitan and polyphagous species. An evaluation of A. pisum’s demographic parameters and growth was carried out after rearing aphids on faba bean plants (Vicia faba) under five different temperature conditions (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C). We analyzed the raw life history data, including developmental time, survival, longevity and reproduction, using an age-stage, two-sex life table to consider variable developmental rates among individuals. The population fluctuation of A. pisum determined the stage-specific population structure and potential population growth under different temperature conditions. A. pisum individuals developed successfully from nymphs to adults at all temperatures in this study. The developmental rate of A. pisum increased as the temperature increased. Our results indicated that A. pisum showed a higher pre-adult mortality, lower total fecundity and a negative intrinsic rate of increase at 30 °C. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.30) and finite rate of increase (1.35) were observed at 25 °C. Comparisons of population parameters and their analytical methods between different A. pisum populations from other geographic areas are also discussed.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260861
Author(s):  
Young-Gyun Park ◽  
Joon-Ho Lee ◽  
Un Taek Lim

Amblyseius eharai is a generalist predatory mite that consumes spider mites, rust mites, thrips, and pollen, with a high adaptability to various plants. To better understand ecological and behavioral aspects of this species, we investigated its functional response to different stages of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. Furthermore, we compared its environmental adaptability with that of other referenced phytoseiids using a temperature-dependent model of the intrinsic rate of increase. We were able to calculate the functional response parameters of both sexes of A. eharai when preying on eggs or larvae of T. urticae and, for females only, when preying on the deutonymph of T. urticae. Among the various combinations tested herein, A. eharai females preying on T. urticae larvae had the highest attack rate and shortest handling time. For eggs of T. urticae, A. eharai showed a lower attack rate; however, its handling time for eggs was significantly shorter compared to other phytoseiids. Using T. urticae larva as a prey, the attack rate of female A. eharai was higher and the handling time of both sexes of this species was shorter than those of other phytoseiid mites. Amblyseius eharai populations can show maximum performance quickly due to this species’ lower optimal temperature for population growth (28.1°C) compared to other phytoseiid mites. Thus, we provided evidence that this predatory mite has the potential to be a new, effective biological control agent of greenhouse pests such as T. urticae due to its high predation capacity and low optimal temperature.


1975 ◽  
Vol 107 (9) ◽  
pp. 919-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Campbell ◽  
M. Mackauer

AbstractParasitism by Aphidius smithi reduced the fecundity and population growth of pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Aphids that were parasitized during the first or second instar period died as fourth instars without producing offspring. Parasitized third or fourth instars usually reached maturity and produced a variable number of progeny. Parasitized adult aphids stopped producing nymphs approximately 7 to 8 days following attack by A. smithi. Equations are given for the relationship between the mean total fecundity, the intrinsic rate of increase, and the doubling time of apterous and alate viviparous pea aphid and the aphid age at the beginning of parasitism.


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