Biotypic and pest status differences between Hungarian and South African populations of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) is a severe pest of cereals in South Africa and in the USA. In order to reduce D noxia damage, intensive resistance breeding programs have been undertaken, resulting in D noxia-resistant cultivars that are now widely used in South Africa and in the USA. However, there appear to be differences in the ability of different populations of D noxia to damage these resistant cereal cultivars. To determine whether different biotypes of D noxia are present, damage to eight wheat cultivars was compared when they were exposed to either Hungarian or South African aphid strains. It appeared that the Hungarian CVS MV Magdaléna, MV Magvas, and MV 17 were susceptible to D noxia from both Hungary and South Africa. The susceptible South African CV Betta was also severely damaged regardless of the country of origin of the aphids. None of the cultivars resistant in South Africa (Caledon, SST 333, SST 972 and Halt) were, however, resistant to Hungarian populations of D noxia. These cultivars, which carry resistance genes originating from the breeding lines PI 262660, PI 137739 and PI 372129, were severely damaged by the Hungarian D noxia. Apart from the highly resistant CV Halt, the resistant cultivars used in this study were developed in South Africa, with the biotype present there. Damage to all cultivars tested was significantly more severe in response to Hungarian than to South African D noxia, indicating that a more damaging aphid biotype occurs in Hungary. However, D noxia has not yet become a pest of wheat in Hungary, possibly due to a difference in cultural practices.