Ecological Entomology (2000) 25, 307-314
J.P. Michaud and B. Belliure (2000)
Consequences of foundress aggregation in the brown citrus aphid Toxoptera citricida
Ecological Entomology 25 (3), 307-314
Abstract: 1. A field study was conducted in which colonies of Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy) were initiated with different numbers of foundresses on ungrafted citrus trees var. 'Carrizo' within an existing citrus grove in central Florida.
2. The growth rate, longevity, and final size of T. citricida colonies were all positively correlated with number of foundresses.
3. Colonies initiated by many foundresses produced alatae earlier than those initiated by fewer foundresses.
4. Nymphal developmental time was reduced in colonies initiated by more foundresses but the mean number of grand-progeny per foundress was lower when only surviving colonies were compared.
5. The longevity of foundresses was unaffected by their number but foundress fecundity and nymphal survival decreased as foundress number increased.
6. The most abundant natural enemies were Diptera: Syrphidae, primarily Pseudodorus clavatus (F.), and Chamaemiidae (Leucopis sp.), followed by Coleoptera: Coccinellidae, primarily Cycloneda sanguinea (L).
7. Colonies initiated with more foundresses attracted more oviposition by dipteran predators than did colonies initiated with fewer foundresses.
(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): J.P. Michaud, Belén Belliure
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
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 citricidus | Citrus (genus) | U.S.A. (SE) | ||
| Cycloneda sanguinea (predator) | Aphis citricidus | Citrus (genus) | U.S.A. (SE) | |
| Pseudodorus clavatus (predator) | Aphis citricidus | Citrus (genus) | U.S.A. (SE) |
