Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2004) 113, 205-209

Mohammad Reza Sabzalian, Bijan Hatami and Aghafakhr Mirlohi (2004)
Mealybug, Phenococcus solani, and barley aphid, Sipha maydis, response to endophyte-infected tall and meadow fescues
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 113 (3), 205-209
Abstract: Mealybugs and aphids are insects which damage grass species. The effects of fungal endophytes on the feeding of the mealybug, Phenacoccus solani Ferris (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), and barley aphid, Sipha maydis Passerini (Homoptera: Aphididae), on tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and meadow fescue, Festuca pratensis Huds., were studied under greenhouse conditions. Mealybugs preferred endophyte-free (E-) clones over their endophyte-infected (E+) counterparts. E+ plants had a significantly lower number of mealybugs than E- plants. A mixture of E+ and E- plants supported intermediate mealybug numbers, between pure plantings of E+ and E- grasses. Barley aphids released on to plant materials were deterred from feeding and could not persist on E+ plants. E- plants did not survive because of aphid damage, while E+ plants generally re-grew, but were damaged to some degree. The results showed that the use of pure stands of endophyte-infected grasses or a mixed stand of infected and non-infected plants may increase the persistence and durability of turf and forage grass species in the presence of foliar damaging insects.
(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): Mohammad R. Sabzalian, Bijan Hatami

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sipha maydis
	Phenacoccus solani