Suitability and Profitability of a Cereal Aphid for the Parasitoid Aphidius platensis in the Context of Conservation Biological Control of Myzus persicae in Orchards.

Jeniffer K Alvarez-Baca,Blas Lavandero,Cécile Le Lann,Armando Alfaro-Tapia,Joan Van Baaren

doi:10.3390/insects11060381

Jeniffer K Alvarez-Baca, Blas Lavandero + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11060381

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Journal: Insects	Publication Date: Jun 19, 2020
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Talca, University of Rennes

Abstract

The use of cover crops can promote the abundance and early arrival of populations of natural enemies. Cereal cover crops between orchards rows could encourage the early arrival of the parasitoid Aphidius platensis, as they offer alternative winter hosts (e.g., Rhopalosiphum padi), enhancing the control of Myzus persicae in spring. However, the preference for and suitability of the alternative host must be addressed beforehand. To evaluate the potential of this strategy, we assessed host preference using behavioural choice tests, as well as no-choice tests measuring fitness traits, when developing on both host species. One source field for each aphid population from the above hosts was chosen. There was a clear choice for R. padi compared to M persicae, independently of the source, probably due to more defensive behaviours of M. persicae (i.e., kicks and escapes). Nevertheless, both aphid species were suitable for parasitoids’ development. The female progeny developed on R. padi were larger in size, irrespective of their origin. According to our results, in peach orchards with cereals sown between peach trees during the autumn, where we expect when R. padi populations will no longer be available during spring, A. platensis should be able to switch to M. persicae.

Highlights

Cover crops can be used as a habitat management strategy to enhance natural enemies’ populations of a target pest, favoring natural enemies by means of different mechanisms
In order to verify whether the parasitoid A. platensis effectively has the ability to switch from an alternative winter host R. padi to a spring target host M. persicae, we studied the preference and performance of A. platensis on the two aphid-plant complex species in the laboratory
Aphidius platensis is a species belonging to the Aphidius colemani group [52]

Summary

Introduction

Cover crops can be used as a habitat management strategy to enhance natural enemies’ populations of a target pest, favoring natural enemies by means of different mechanisms. Insects 2020, 11, 381 significantly advance the arrival of predators [22] in a study in New Zealand, the use of cover plants like alyssum (Lobularia maritima (Linnaeus)), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum (Moench)) and phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia (Benth)) in apple orchards, increased the parasitism rates of the larvae of the light-brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in alyssum and buckwheat treatments compared to controls [23] Prior to their establishment, an important aspect of cover crops to take into account is that they do not enhance the target pest [22]. In order to correctly implement such a strategy, the alternative hosts/prey for the target natural enemies must be viable from a preference and a performance perspective

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