Applied Entomology and Zoology (2010) 45, 233-238

Izumi Ohta and Ken-ichiro Honda (2010)
Use of Sitobion akebiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as an alternative host aphid for a banker-plant system using an indigenous parasitoid, Aphidius gifuensis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 45 (2), 233-238
Abstract: Six species of legume or cereal-feeding aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis craccivora, Megoura crassicauda, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion akebiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were tested as candidates for alternative hosts of Aphidius gifuensis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an indigenous natural enemy attacking vegetable pest aphids Aulacorthum solani and Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). A. pisum, R. maidis and S. akebiae were accepted by A. gifuensis. S. akebiae showed the most successful parasitism by A. gifuensis among the six aphid species tested, with a mummification rate of 71.7% and emergence rate of 96.7%. No parasitism was observed on R. padi, an alternative host available in the banker-plant system with an exotic parasitic wasp, Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). A. gifuensis females reared on S. akebiae had the same developmental period and body size as those reared on M. persicae, with no significant differences. They also demonstrated successful parasitic performance in A. solani and M. persicae. These results suggest that S. akebiae should be a promising alternative host for use in a banker-plant system with A. gifuensis.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Myzus persicae	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	Japan
	Sitobion avenae
Aphidius gifuensis (parasitoid)	Myzus persicae	Eggplant (Solanum melongena)	Japan
Aphidius gifuensis (parasitoid)	Sitobion avenae