Population dynamics of Melanaphis donacis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its Coccinellidae and Syrphidae predators on Arundo donax L.

Nicole Undurraga,Máximo F Alonso,Jaime E Araya,Francisco Zuazúa

doi:10.7764/ijanr.v47i2.1971

Abstract

The population density of the aphid Melanaphis donacis (Passerini) was studied in experimental plots of Arundo donax (L.) at the Antumapu Campus of the University of Chile, La Pintana (33° 34' 08'' S 70° 38' 40'' W) and on wild populations at Rinconada de Maipu (33° 30' 0.17 S and 70° 49' 12.25 W), both in the Mediterranean zone of Chile. Sampling started upon the first colonization of the plants by the aphid on December 14, 2012, and continued every 15 days through December 14, 2013. Samples were taken from the 3 rd leaf from the apex, and a total of 36 samples were collected per sampling date. The aphid occurred throughout the growing season of A. donax , especially in summer, with higher densities in the experimental plots than in the wild populations and means of 243 and 147 aphids leaf -1 , respectively. The main natural enemies observed were the coccinellids Eriopis connexa (Germar) and Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville) and the syrphid Allograpta pulchra (Shannon). The predator populations followed the growth curves of the aphid population and of A. donax .

Highlights

Renewable energy sources are being developed worldwide to reduce fossil fuel use and dependence, diversify the energy matrix, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
This study describes the population dynamics of M. donacis and its predators on A. donax grown in experimental plots and wild populations in the Mediterranean zone of Central Chile
The density of the aphid Melanaphis donacis (Passerini) and its Coccinellidae and Syrphidae predators on A. donax was studied in experimental plots of Arundo donax (L.) at the Antumapu Campus of the University of Chile, La Pintana (33° 34’ 8’’ S 70° 38’ 40’’ W) and on wild populations at Rinconada de Maipú, Maipú (33° 30’ 0.17” S and 70° 49’ 12.25” W), both in Santiago, Metropolitan Region, Chile

Summary

Introduction

Renewable energy sources are being developed worldwide to reduce fossil fuel use and dependence, diversify the energy matrix, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Reproduction is asexual because the seeds are sterile, and propagation occurs when rhizomes and stems are spread by water and sprout; propagation is slower in plants far from water sources (Mackenzie, 2004). This makes A. donax a good choice as an energy crop since photosynthesis is channeled to biomass production rather than seed production and A. donax has limited dispersion and limited potential to become an invasive weed (Pilu et al, 2012)

Methods

Results

Conclusion