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Natural enemies and their impact on Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Y. K. Aalbersberg ,
M. C. Van Der Westhuizen  and
P. H. Hewitt
Y. K. Aalbersberg
Affiliation:
Grain Crops Research Institute, Private Bag X29, Bethlehem 9700, South Africa
M. C. Van Der Westhuizen
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology/Entomology, University of the Orange Free State, Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africacor1corresp
*
P. H. Hewitt
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology/Entomology, University of the Orange Free State, Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africacor1corresp
*
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Abstract

The influence of natural enemies on the population growth of Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) in wheat fields in eastern South Africa was investigated. Since the natural enemies were not present in the initial stages, the apparent mortality observed must have been due to other causes. During the logarithmic phase of aphid population growth, predators, in particular the coccinellid Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), had a slight inhibitory effect on growth. During the decline phase of the aphid population, the potential population size was reduced by as much as 52% by predation. The most abundant parasitoids, Aphidius colemani Viereck and Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh), had a negligible effect. Although natural enemy populations showed functional responses to increases in Diuraphis noxia numbers, they did not prevent the latter from attaining and exceeding economic injury levels.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 78 , Issue 1 , March 1988 , pp. 111 - 120
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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