Apple Aphid Eriosoma Lanigerum Research Articles

Efficacy of Phosmet Against Woolly Apple Aphid <i>Eriosoma lanigerum</i> (Hausmann)

The efficacy of phosmet was evaluated against the aerial form of the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) during October- November 2017 and 2019 in apple orchards at Manali district Kullu of Himachal Pradesh. All the doses of phosmet were effective in suppression of the aphid up to 21 days of the spray. Chlorpyriphos (0.05%) was found statistically superior (0.06 aphid colonies/twig) followed by phosmet @ 0.075%, 0.05% and 0.025% (0.36, 0.40 and 0.54 aphid colonies/twig, respectively) during 2017. Similar trend was observed during 2019 but chlorpyriphos was found statistically at par with phosmet @ 0.05% and 0.075%. All the concentrations proved safe to the apple plants as there were no phytotoxic symptoms.

Prirodni neprijatelji krvave vaši Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptere: Aphididae) u zasadima jabuke (Malus domestica)

Wooly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann, 1802 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a significant pest of apple. Modern agriculture rapidly favors biological protection of plants and the introduction of certain beneficial organisms is becoming an increasingly frequent and promising way to control agricultural pests. In addition, the trend of withdrawing numerous active substances from the market has triggered an increasing interest of the agricultural public for predator, parasitoids and pathogens in the control of E. lanigerum. The parasitic wasp Aphelinus Mali Haldeman, 1851 (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is considered the most important natural enemy of the wooly apple aphid. Although the application of this parasitic wasp is widely present in the integrated apple production, many studies indicate that the effectiveness of A. Mali is significantly increased when this species is used together with other beneficial insects, primarily with certain predatory species. The latest research indicates the frequent commercial use of predatory species in the control of wooly apple aphid, primarily representatives of the families Syrphidae, Chrysopidae and Coccinellidae. Also, for the successful suppression of the wooly apple aphid, it is very important to determine the optimal strategy that will ensure the successful integration of applied predators and other natural enemies of this pest.

Towards a Knowledge-Based Decision Support System for Integrated Control of Woolly Apple Aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum, with Maximal Biological Suppression by the Parasitoid Aphelinus mali.

Simple SummaryThe woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum is an important pest in apple orchards worldwide. At present, effective limitation of woolly aphid populations relies on a good synergy between chemical control treatments and biological suppression by beneficial insects, especially by its main specific natural enemy, the parasitic wasp (parasitoid) Aphelinus mali. In order to reach maximum control levels on woolly apple aphids and avoid negative side effects on A. mali, decision support for the optimal timing and positioning of control treatments is needed. In this study, we developed prediction models that based on the weather conditions (temperature data) can reasonably accurately predict crucial development/activity phases of both insects in the orchard. These prediction models can be utilized to target insecticide sprayings at the most sensitive stage of the pest (woolly apple aphids) and/or to avoid insecticide sprayings with detrimental side effects at the vulnerable stage of the beneficial insect (parasitoid A. mali), as was demonstrated by the outcomes of a field trial in this study.The woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Homoptera: Aphidiae) is an important pest in apple orchards worldwide. Since the withdrawal or restricted use of certain broad-spectrum insecticides, E. lanigerum has become one of the most severe pests in apple growing areas across Western Europe. At present, effective limitation of woolly aphid populations relies on a good synergy between chemical control treatments and biological suppression by beneficial arthropods, especially by its main specific natural enemy, the parasitoid Aphelinus mali (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). To develop a knowledge-based decision support system, detailed monitoring data of both species were collected in the field (region of Sint-Truiden, Belgium) for a period of ten years (2010–2020). Aphelinus mali flights were monitored in the field, starting before flowering until the end of the second-generation flight at minimum. The seasonal occurrence of the most important management stages of E. lanigerum, e.g., start of wool production or activity on aerial parts in spring and migration of crawlers from colonies towards flower clusters or shoots, were thoroughly monitored. All obtained data were compared with historical and literature data and analysed in a population dynamics phenological model. Our outcomes showed that the emergence of first-generation A. mali adults (critical for the first parasitation activity and the basis for following A. mali generations in the continuation of the season) can be accurately predicted by the developed model. Hence, this information can be utilized to avoid insecticide sprayings with detrimental side effects at this particular moment as demonstrated by the outcomes of a field trial. In addition, the start of migration of E. lanigerum crawlers towards flower clusters or shoots is accurately predicted by the model. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the model can be used as decision support system for the optimal timing of control treatments in order to achieve effective control of E. lanigerum with maximal biological suppression by its main natural enemy.

Evaluation of insecticides against woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum and its parasitoid Aphelinus mali

Evaluation of certain insecticides and biopesticides against the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) on apple revealed that spirotetramat (0.015%) is the most effective resulting in reduction of 68.48 and 61.04% in colony count and colony size, respectively followed by flonicamid (0.05%). Higher concentrations of biopesticides viz., Beauveria bassiana (2x1010cfu/l), fish oil (1.0%), neem oil (2.0%) and azadirachtin (0.02%) remained at par with each other registering 29.17, 31.32, 28.95 and 29.83% reduction in colony count. Neem oil with 60 to 80% parasitoid (Aphelinus mali) emergence was the safest, whereas, chlorpyriphos (0.04%) with 15 to 20% parasitoid emergence was the most toxic. Spirotetramat and flonicamid were moderately safe to the parasitoid.

Woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann ecology and its relationship with climatic variables and natural enemies in Mediterranean areas.

A multilateral approach that includes both biotic and climatic data was developed to detect the main variables that affect the ecology and population dynamics of woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann). Crawlers migrated up and down the trunk mainly from spring to autumn and horizontal migration through the canopy was observed from May to August. Winter temperatures did not kill the canopy colonies, and both canopy and root colonies are the source of reinfestations in Mediterranean areas. Thus, control measures should simultaneously address roots and canopy. European earwigs Forficula auricularia (Linnaeus) were found to reduce the survival of overwintering canopy colonies up to June, and this can allow their later control by the parasitoid Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) from summer to fall. Preliminary models to predict canopy infestations were developed.

Isolation and characterization of nine microsatellite loci from Aphelinus mali (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract Nine novel microsatellite markers are presented for Aphelinus mali, a parasitoid of the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum. Loci were characterized for 28 individuals from a single orchard in central Chile. Seven loci were polymorphic within A. mali (3–6 alleles per locus; observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.04 to 0.57) and are therefore useful for population genetic studies within this species.

Genetic diversity of woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations in the Western Cape, South Africa

The woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) is one of the most damaging apple pests in South Africa. Information on its genetic diversity is lacking and this study, in which the genetic structure of parthenogenetic E. lanigerum populations was characterized in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, represents the first local study of its kind. A total of 192 individuals from four different regions were collected and analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Using five selective AFLP primer pairs, 250 fragments were scored for analysis. Results indicated that a low level of genetic variation was apparent in E. lanigerum populations in the Western Cape (H = 0.0192). Furthermore, populations collected from geographically distant regions were very closely related, which can partly be explained by the fact that agricultural practices were responsible for dissemination of populations from a common ancestor to geographically distant areas. The low level of variation found indicated that the possibility of controlling E. lanigerum in the Western Cape using host plant resistance is favourable. This is the first report of AFLP being used to characterize the genetic structure of an aphid species. Results indicate that this marker may be useful for analysis of other aphid species.

Biological control of woolly apple aphid by <i>Aphelinus mali </i>in an integrated fruit production programme in Nelson

Woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) populations were monitored at the Appleby Research Orchard near Nelson (1994/ 1996) in two apple cultivars as part of an experimental Integrated Fruit Production programme which included the insect growth regulator insecticide tebufenozide. The aphid population increased dramatically during the first season in one cultivar (‘Sturmer Pippin’) from mid February and reached 90% shoot infestation by late summer. Parasitism of the aphid by the specific endoparasitoid, Aphelinus mali (Haldeman), was first recorded in late March 1995 and peaked at 13% by the end of April 1995 when monitoring ceased. In the second season the parasitoid was present from early summer and >80% parasitism was recorded by late April 1996. Aphid control was achieved without the need for specific aphicide sprays. The results indicate the potential for biological control of woolly apple aphid by A. mali within a selective insecticide

Susceptibility of the woolly apple aphid parasitoid,Aphelinus mali (Hym.: Aphelinidae), to common pesticides used in apple orchards in Israel

The effects of one acaricide (cyhexatin), two fungicides (penconazole and sulfur), and six insecticides (azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, pirimicarb, triazamate and vamidothion) on the adult stage of the parasitoidAphelinus mali (Haldeman), a parasite of the woolly apple aphidEriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), were investigated under laboratory conditions. Chlorpyrifos (an organophosphorus insecticide-OP) was found to be highly toxic to the adult wasps. Vamidothion (OP) was more toxic to the parasitoid than azinphos-methyl (OP). On the other hand, both chlorpyrifos and azinphos-methyl were found to be harmless to the immature stages of the parasitoid in a test conducted under semi-field conditions. Of the other insecticides, imidacloprid was more toxic to the adult parasitoid than pirimicarb and triazamate. Neither cyhexatin nor penconazole had a considerable toxic effect upon the parasitoid. In contrast, sulfur was found to be moderately toxic to the parasitoid under laboratory conditions, as well as in a field survey in which we followed populations ofE. lanigerum andA. mali parasitization in sulfur-treated plots, and in a plot treated withAmpelomyces quisqualis Ces., a fungus antagonist to powdery mildew. The implications of these results to IPM programs of apple orchards in Israel are discussed

Woolly Apple Aphid,Eriosoma lanigerum, Research in India

Abstract Wodlly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hsm.) is widely distributed in India. It reproduces all year round on apple and crab apple. Alates are produced from July to November and lay nymphs with degenerate mouth parts. The infestation is spread by nursery plants and air currents. The pest is controlled in the nursery either by dip-treatment with fenitrothion (0.025%) or dichlorvos (0.088%) or by soil application of phorate granules (2.5–3.0 g a.i.) during spring. Subterranean populations can be controlled with granules of dimethoate (15 g a.i.), aldicarb (5.0 g a.i.) or carbofuran (3.0 g a.i.). Aerial populations are controlled by autumn sprays of fenitrothion + dichlorvos + demeton-methyl (0.05%), vamidothion (0.025%), phosophamidon (0.035%) or dimethoate (0.03%). Banding of the trunk base with granules has been found useful in reducing reinfestation by checking the first instar nymphs, which migrate between the aerial and subterranean parts. Resistant root stocks of the ‘M.M.’ series are recommen...