Seasonal dynamics and entomophthoralean infection of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The seasonal dynamics of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, and entomopathogenic fungi from the order Entomophthorales attacking the aphid were analysed in alfalfa and field pea crops during the growing seasons of 1998 and 1999 at Nitra-Malanta. In both years, pea aphid populations on pea showed a pattern with one peak, culminated at flowering and pod formation. The infestation level on alfalfa was low in both years. Entomopathogenic fungi attacking the pea aphid were identified as Erynia neoaphidis Remaudičre and Hennebert and Conidiobolus obscurus (Hall and Dunn) Remaudičre and Keller. Both pathogens infected the aphid on pea, but only E. neoaphidis was found in the alfalfa plots. Infected aphids were not found on alfalfa during 1999. The maximum levels of infected aphids on pea were 10.30% and 48.39% in 1998 and 1999, respectively. During both years alate aphids were more frequently attacked than apteral ones. Correlation coefficients indicated a positive relationship between the number of infected aphids and precipitation, but this relationship was weak or moderately strong. A strong correlation was found between the number of dead aphids and number of alate aphids counted 5 to 10 days earlier.