Journal of Economic Entomology (2018) 111, 533-541

Yahana Aparicio, Rosa Gabarra and Judit Arnó (2018)
Attraction of Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to sweet alyssum and assessment of plant resources effects on their fitness
Journal of Economic Entomology 111 (2), 533-541
Abstract: The green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most economically important aphid species affecting crops worldwide. Since many natural enemies of this aphid have been recorded, biological control of this pest might be a viable alternative to manage it. Selected plant species in field margins might help to provide the natural enemies with food sources to enhance their fitness. This study aimed to investigate if sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) (Brassicaceae), is a potential food source for the parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predator Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and whether this flower could contribute to enhance the biological control of M. persicae. Volatiles produced by alyssum, with and without flowers, attracted both natural enemies. This attractiveness to alyssum flowers was disrupted when compared with peach shoots recently infested with a relatively low number of aphids. When aphids were absent, parasitoids exposed to alyssum survived longer than those that fed on a sugar solution or on water. In the case of the predator, alyssum flowers did not benefit longevity since the nectaries were inaccessible to females. However, our results provide evidence that A. aphidimyza would be able to feed on nectar if accessible. The floral resource did not improve the reproductive capacity of the two natural enemies, but the 10% sugar solution increased the egg load of the predator. Provision of other sugar resources, such as flowers with exposed nectaries and extra floral nectar may also be a viable option to improve the biological control of M. persicae.
(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): Judit Arnó, Rosa Gabarra

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Myzus persicae
Aphidoletes aphidimyza (predator)	Myzus persicae
Aphidius ervi (parasitoid)	Myzus persicae