Aphid Survey Reveals the First Record of the Bramble Aphid Aphis ruborum (Börner & Schilder, 1931) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Algeria, and a Second Report for Africa After 59 Years

Abstract

Since aphids are considered among the most dangerous pests to crops, it is important to know the species existing in a given biotope. The results showed a total richness of 48 aphid species, divided into 29 genera, six tribes and four subfamilies. Aphis fabae, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae are the most captured species with 14.74 %, 11.96 % and 9 % respectively. This paper presents the first finding of Aphis ruborum (Börner & Schilder, 1931) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) for Algeria and the second record for the African continent. This aphid is reported for the first time from the Tizi-Ouzou province. The first winged individuals were caught in yellow traps installed in a potato field in Makouda (Tizi-Ouzou, northern Algeria). Several colonies were detected on wild brambles around this field. Two aphid species are found on potato leaves, namely M. persicae and A. fabae. M. persicae was the most abundant species with 1082 individuals.