Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection (2019) 52, 239-257

Houshang Sardarbandeh, Ahad Sahragard, Ehsan Rakhshani and Valiollah Baniameri (2019)
Density-dependent parasitism of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora by Lysiphlebus fabarum, Binodoxys acalephae, and Aphidius matricariae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)
Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection 52 (1-2), 239-257
Abstract: Biological control, as a major component of pest management strategies, uses natural biological agents to reduce pest populations. Studying the interaction among Aphis craccivora and its parasitoids including, Lysiphlebus fabarum, Binodoxys acalephae, and Aphidius matricariae in 2016 and 2017 in Tehran Parke-Shahr, showed positive, significant correlations in all cases between the densities of three parasitoid species and that of aphid nymphs and adults. The density of the parasitoids increased by increasing the density of the aphids. The parasitoids showed aggregative behavior in response to different densities of the host. There was a positive density-dependent correlation between the density of A. craccivora and rate of parasitism. Parasitism rates of nymphs and adult aphids by L. fabarum, B. acalephae, and A. matricariae increased or decreased along with decline or increase in the population of the aphid host. In 2016 spring, the highest rates of parasitism on aphid nymphs by L. fabarum, B. acalephae, and A. matricariae were 46.82, 23.09, and 17.16%, respectively. In 2017 spring, the highest rates of parasitism on aphid nymphs by L. fabarum, B. acalephae, and A. matricariae were 48.97, 21.77, and 15.06%, respectively. So, given the accordance between changes in aphid population and that of parasitoids, and parasitoids' efficacy in Tehran's polluted air, they can be used as biological agents in the management of A. craccivora population.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ahad Sahragard, Ehsan Rakhshani

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aphis craccivora		Iran
Aphidius matricariae (parasitoid)	Aphis craccivora		Iran
Lysiphlebus fabarum (parasitoid)	Aphis craccivora		Iran
Binodoxys acalephae (parasitoid)	Aphis craccivora		Iran