Florida Entomologist (1999) 82, 424-447

J.P. Michaud and H.W. Browning (1999)
Seasonal abundance of the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida, (Homoptera: Aphididae) and its natural enemies in Puerto Rico
Florida Entomologist 82 (3), 424-447
Abstract: Populations of the brown citrus aphid (BCA), Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), and associated insects were monitored in citrus groves in western Puerto Rico in 1996 and 1997. Peak populations of the aphid were observed in spring and fall of both years. A total of 6,737 infested citrus terminals were examined and categorized by growth stage and BCA colony size. Natural enemies, primarily coccinellids, syrphids, chrysopids, and aphidiids, were recorded when present in BCA colonies and a list of species is presented. A complex of large coccinellid species was inferred to have the greatest potential for impact on BCA populations in Puerto Rico. Predation by syrphid larvae was another important source of BCA mortality. The parasitoid, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), was abundant in some samples, but usually parasitized only a small percentage of aphids within colonies. The fungus, Verticillium lecanii (Zimm.), infected BCA colonies sporadically. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, was often observed harvesting honeydew from BCA colonies and interfering with natural enemies.

Durante 1996 y 1997 se realizó un monitoreo del áfido pardo de los cítricos (BCA) Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy) e insectos asociados en huertos de cítricos ubicados en el occidente de Puerto Rico. En ambos años, las poblaciones máximas del áfido ocurrieron durante la primavera y el otoño. Se examinó un total de 6,737 brotes infestados, los cuales se clasificaron por etapa de desarrollo y el tamaño de la colonia de BCA. Se presenta una lista de enemigos naturales encontrados en las colonias de BCA, principalmente Coccinellidae, Syrphidae, Chrysopidae y Aphidiidae. Se dedujo que un complejo de especies grandes Coccinellidae tienen el mayor potencial para el control de BCA en Puerto Rico. Otra causa importante de mortalidad de BCA fue la predación por larvas de Syrphidae. En algunas muestras se encontraron poblaciones altas del parasitoide Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), pero éstos solamente parasitaron pocos áfidos dentro de las colonias. El hongo Verticillium lecanii (Zimm.) se encontró infectando colonias de BCA de manera esporádica. Con frecuencia se observó a la hormiga de fuego roja importada, Solenopsis invicta Buren, cosechando secreciones en colonias de BCA e interfiriendo con los enemigos naturales.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): J.P. Michaud

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Solenopsis invicta	Citrus (genus)	Puerto Rico
	Aphis citricidus	Citrus (genus)	Puerto Rico
Lysiphlebus testaceipes (parasitoid)	Aphis citricidus	Citrus (genus)	Puerto Rico
Akanthomyces muscarius (entomopathogen)	Aphis citricidus	Citrus (genus)	Puerto Rico