Environmental Entomology (1986) 15, 771-774

Ann E. Hajek (1986)
Aphid host preference used to detect a previously unrecognized birch in California
Environmental Entomology 15 (3), 771-774
Abstract: Betula pendula Roth is a popular ornamental tree in northern California, which frequently hosts populations of four leaf-feeding aphid species. Differential aphid species distribution on occasional birch trees led to the identification of Betula pubescens Ehrhart, a closely related species, planted among B. pendula. Spring sampling demonstrated that Calaphis flava Mordvilko occurred predominantly on B. pubescens while Betulaphis brevipilosa Burner, Callipterinella calliptera (Hartig), and Euceraphis betulae (Koch) were more abundant on B. pendula. C. calliptera and E. betulae were rarely found on B. pubescens, whereas C. flava populations constituted 22% of the aphid fauna on B. pendula when trees of the two species were adjacent. B. pubescens hosted a larger total aphid population as well as abundant leafhoppers. Honeydew presence on lower canopy leaves of both tree species was positively related with aphid density.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Ann E. Hajek

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Euceraphis betulae	Birch (Betula)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Betulaphis brevipilosa	Birch (Betula)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Calaphis flava	Birch (Betula)	U.S.A. (SW)
	Callipterinella calliptera	Birch (Betula)	U.S.A. (SW)