Abstract
Abstract. 1. Two aphid species feed exclusively on pine needles, Schizolachnus pineti (Fabr.) occupying only the outer (curved) surface with Eulachnus agilis (Kalt.) showing a preference for the inner (flat) surface.2. Despite E.agilis favouring and S.pineti avoiding senescing needles, both species show a significant tendency to share shoots and needles in the field.3. The same association is also apparent under laboratory conditions, although E.agilis is randomly distributed between needles in the absence of S.pineti.4. E.agilis was found to benefit through increased survival and faster growth rates, by feeding on the same shoots and needles as S.pineti.5. It is suggested that E.agilis may be able to detect and exploit an improvement in the nutritive quality of needles brought about by the feeding activity of S.pineti colonies.
Published Version
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