Long-term effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on populations of the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae and its parasitoid Aphidius matricariae.

Abstract

Model terrestrial ecosystems were set-up in the Ecotron controlled environment facility. The effects of elevated CO2 (ambient + 200 [Formula: see text]mol/mol) and temperature (ambient + 2.0°C) on plant chemistry, the abundance of the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae, and on the performance of one of its parasitoids Aphidius matricariae, were studied. Total above-ground plant biomass at the end of the experiment was not affected by elevated atmospheric CO2, nor were foliar nitrogen and carbon concentrations. Elevated temperature decreased final plant biomass while leaf nitrogen concentrations increased. Aphid abundance was enhanced by both the␣CO2 and temperature treatment. Parasitism rates remained unchanged in elevated CO2, but showed an increasing trend in conditions of elevated temperature. Our results suggest that M. persicae, an important pest of many crops, might increase its abundance under conditions of climate change.