Boyer De Fonscolombe Research Articles

Ant – homopteran interactions in a tropical ecosystem. Description of an experiment on cocoa in Ghana

AbstractOver a period of six years, the presence or absence of 23 species of arboreal insects (13 Homoptera, 1 Heteroptera, 9 ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)) was recorded on each of 866 young Amazon and Amazon hybrid cocoa trees at the Cocoa Research Institute, Tafo, Ghana. The general form of the time-series, derived from the proportion of trees occupied by each species, is described. Analysis of 18 of these series, taken either singly or jointly, was carried out using analysis of variance and principal components analysis and the degree of spatial association between 16 of the species was also investigated. For the latter, the number of joint occurrences of pairs of species was compared with the expected number by means of a chi squared test. An index of association was derived from the proportion of occasions on which the difference was significant. For all but four species, there were highly significant differences between annual means in the analysis of variance and, in many, the overall annual trend was downward with time. For those species where significant differences were not shown between years, trends were often apparent on individual plots but were negated because of inconsistencies between plots in the direction of the trend. In the joint analysis of all 18 species by principal components, the first component accounted for approximately 33% of the total variance and could be identified as representing to a large extent the long-term upward or downward trends shown up by the analysis of variance. The second principal component, accounting for a further 13% of total variance, was interpreted as being a further manifestation of the long-term trend, representing a tendency for deviation from the trend line shown up by the first component to become less with time and to approach the trend line in a damped oscillation. This is thought to be partly caused by a drought at the start of the experiment which affected certain species adversely. The third principal component accounted for 11% of total variance and the scores followed an irregular annual cycle which was related to relative humidity. The scores on this axis were high during dry periods of the year and low during wet periods. In the analysis of variance it was found that 13 species showed significant differences in spatial distribution between seasons and, for most, there was evidence for an annual cycle. There was also some evidence of correlation between the seasonal cycles of some insects with seasonal rainfall level or morning or afternoon relative humidity. These same species are important in contributing to the third principal component scores. Spatial association analysis showed eight species to be strongly associated. These fell into three groups with positive associations between members of the same group and negative association between members of other groups. Each group featured an ant-homopteran association, Crematogaster spp. with Planococcoides njalensis (Laing) in group 1, Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) with Stictococcus spp. in group 2, and Camponotus spp. and Polyrhachis laboriosa F. Smith with Planococcus citri (Risso) and Toxoptera aurantii Boyer de Fonscolombe in group 3. Three other coccids were loosely linked to these groups through particular members, Waxiella sp. nr zonatus (Newstead) to group 1 through Planococcoides njalensis and to group 2 through Camponotus spp. and Phenacoccus hargreavesi (Laing) and Steatococcus spp. to group 2 through Planococcus citri. Changes taking place with time in the relative abundance of members of these groups could be discerned in the trajectories of the first two principal components. The spatial re-arrangements taking place with time of the territories of the major ant species are followed in some detail, and the effect of these changes on Homoptera is discussed.

Tests for host-associated fitness trade-offs in the milkweed-oleander aphid.

The milkweed-oleander aphid, Aphis nerii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Homoptera: Aphididae), feeds on different milkweed species in northern California than in Puerto Rico. The hosts vary, primarily between regions, for both identity and quantity of cardenolides that the aphid sequesters for its own defense. In tests for hostassociated fitness trade-offs only one case was found in which host plant and fitness corresponded, but the effect was not significant. However, power to detect fitness trade-offs was limited and the possibility of considerable differences in fitness on a particular host for aphids from different hosts cannot be excluded. On Californian host species, among which migration is common, generalized host use could result from selection for general-purpose genotypes. However, this explanation cannot apply to generalized host use of Californian and Puerto Rican milkweeds because the regions are isolated by distance. A cardenolide sequestration mechanism that is free of substantial energy costs could provide the basis for fitness homeostasis on variable host plants that makes trade-offs unlikely even on hosts from different regions.

Hymenoptera collections of Boyer de Fonscolombe, with an account of his work and a description of the natural features of his estate

An account is given of existing material of Hymenoptera collected by Boyer de Fonscolombe and located in Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, in the University Museum, Oxford, and in Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Geneva. It includes designations of 15 lectotypes and 16 neotypes, also 17 new synonyms and 6 new combinations. Much new Hymenoptera material, including about 550 species of Chalcidoidea, has been collected by the author on the Fonscolombe estate. An outline description of the features of the estate and its fauna and flora, is included, together with biographical notes on Boyer de Fonscolombe and remarks about the localities where he collected.

Kairomonal effect of an aphid cornicle secretion onLysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae).

In laboratory bioassays, whole-body homogenates and fresh cornicle wax of Rhopalosiphum padi(L.) (the bird-cherry oat aphid) elicited antennal examination and attack behavior in naive females of the polyphagous aphidiid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson). No such response was elicited by either homogenates or cornicle wax of Aphis nerii(Boyer de Fonscolombe) (another known host of the parasitoid) or by preparations of the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene. The response to R. padiproducts was independent of rearing host and appears to be innate. Application of R. padicornicle wax to the dorsum of a nonhost aphid [Acythosiphum pisum(Harris)] increased the frequency with which this species was attacked by L. testaceipes.There was a tendency for the kairomonal activity of the cornicle secretion to decline as the wax dried, although parasitoid attack behavior was still elicited by wax which had been allowed to dry for up to 30 min before testing.

Canopy Structure in Soybean Monocultures and Soybean—Sorghum Mixtures: Impact on Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) Landing Rates

Aphid landing rates were monitored with horizontal mosaic green pan traps in monocultures of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, and in additive mixtures of soybean with dwarf or tall isolines of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) colonized sorghum whorls and was the major species caught in pan traps. Weekly aphicide spot applications to sorghum whorls, starting at 36 d after planting, did not suppress R. maidis colonies significantly until after the third application. Landing rates of R. maidis alatae were similar in treated and untreated crop mixtures. The lack of a significant difference may have resulted from immigration of R. maidis alatae from outside the experimental field but inefficient colony suppression may have produced similar results. Mixed cropping reduced landing rates of Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis helianthi complex, and Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) on sorghum plants, and R. maidis on soybean plants. Generally, landing rates were equally reduced in the mixtures with tall or dwarf sorghum. The percentage of ground covered by vegetation, which was less in monocultures than in mixtures, proved to be more important than crop height in reducing aphid landing rates. All aphid species landed randomly on soybean and sorghum plants within dwarf sorghum mixtures. However, in tall sorghum mixtures Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe and A. gossypii preferred to land on soybean whereas Aphis spiraecola Patch landed more often on sorghum. Landing R. maidis alatae did not show a preference for sorghum or soybean in the crop mixtures. Different sensitivities to microclimatic conditions may explain these behavioral patterns.

Confirmation of the Brown Citrus Aphid, Toxoptera citricidus, in Costa Rica

In June, 1991, the senior author received a series of undetermined slide-mounted aphids collected by the junior author in yellow pan traps in melon fields in Costa Rica. Among them was one specimen of the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy) collected near Parrita, San Jose Province on January 25th. This was sent to Dr. Manya B. Stoetzel at the U.S.D.A. Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland who verified the determination. Toxoptera citricidus has been known in central South America for many years (Blackman & Eastop 1984) and has been reported from Central America (Saunders et al. 1983) and the Caribbean region (Kranz et al. 1977). We have been unable to verify the report of Saunders on the basis of actual specimens. Holman (1974) stated that reports of T. citricidus in Cuba all referred to Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe). To date there has been some uncertainty regarding the presence of T. citricidus in any country in Central America. This trapped specimen was one of four collected by the junior author in yellow pan traps in 1991. The other three were collected as follows; one at the Parrita site (January 25th), one near Caldera, Puntarenas Province (February 5th) and one near Filadelfia, Guanacaste Province (January 4th). These are the first actual specimens, of which we know, supporting the presence of this pest aphid in the Costa Rica and all are in the collection of the junior author at the University of Costa Rica. Since this specimen was identified, the junior author has been told that personnel from CATIE found T. citricidus at Chiriqui, Panama in 1989. We have not seen any specimens from Panama and do not know if any specimens were collected by CATIE personnel. The brown citrus aphid is a major pest of citrus. Even small colonies can cause direct damage to the plant by distortion of young leaves. In heavy infestations, the production of quantities of honeydew on which sooty mold develops can interfere with the photosynthetic activity of leaves and discolor the surface of the fruit (Kranz et al. 1977). Possibly the most important aspect of this species is its ability to vector citrus tristeza virus and other viruses of citrus (Kranz et al. 1977). Toxoptera citricidus should survive well in Central America. It prefers warm regions with high moisture and apparently does not do well in regions with hot, dry seasons (Carver 1978). We believe that earlier reports of this aphid may have been misidentifications and assume that T. citricidus is a recent arrival in Central America. It has now been found at three locations along the western coast of Costa Rica. If its movement from Panama to northern Costa Rica occured over the last two years the continued northern movement of this aphid may be rapid. This would be possible because of the widespread cultivation of citrus throughout Central America. This is of considerable concern because of the potential problems to the citrus industry of Mexico and the United States of America. We thank Dr. Manya B. Stoetzel for her verification of, and comments on this species.

Some Aphids of Importance to the Southeastern United States (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Despite their importance as pests of ornamentals and crops and as transmitters of plant viruses, aphids have been poorly studied and collected throughout the United States. Lists are available for only 31 of the 50 states; and of those lists, only 3 have been published since 1970. In the southeastern United States, published lists exist for only Louisiana and North Carolina. Of the aphids discussed, Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko), Idiopterus nephrelepidis Davis, Myzus varians Davidson, and Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) are reported to occur in some southeastern states and may occur throughout the area. Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy) and Pterochloroides persicae (Cholodkovsky) represent species not known to occur in the United States but which have the potential of becoming serious pests if introduced. For each species there are sections on distribution in the southeastern United States, hosts, taxonomic characteristics of apterous and alate viviparae, and general information.

The susceptibility of cocoa to mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and other honeydew-producing Homoptera in Ghana

Population densities of mealybugs and other honeydew-producing Homoptera were assessed in six cocoa (Theobroma cacao Linnaeus) trials by inspecting trees from ground to eye level, and also by dissecting samples of terminal buds. A total of 68 cocoa progenies was examined, mainly inter-crosses of six clones. Progenies differed in their levels of infestation with total mealybugs, Planococcoides njalensis (Laing), Planococcus citri (Risso), Phenacoccus hargreavesi (Laing), (Pseudococcidae), Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) (Aphididae), and Mesohomotoma tessmanni (Aulmann) (Psyllidae). Crosses with Amelonado or T63/971 were generally more densely infested with mealybugs than those for example of NA34 and T63/967. Trees of T17/524 parentage were sparsely infested with mealybugs. Rankings of progenies by infestation with mealybugs from the two different sampling procedures were positively correlated, but the relative abundances of individual mealybug species on the trunk and in the canopy differed. Several species of mealybug found in buds were either rare or never found by inspecting trees up to eye level. Correlations between rankings of progenies by order of abundance of Planococcoides njalensis and Planococcus citri were positive and statistically significant, as were those between mealybugs and infestation of buds by T. aurantii or M. tessmanni. The above rankings were negatively correlated with those by aphid and psyllid abundance assessed from inspecting trees up to eye level. The two sampling procedures were complementary but, for economy, samples of buds gave the clearest indication of a progeny's suitability for mealybugs.

Lysiphlebus testaceipes, an introduced aphid parasitoid in portugal [Hym.: Aphidiidae

Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), an exotic parasitoid species introduced in 1973–74 into southern France and subsequently widespread over the whole mediterranean France, Italy and Spain has become established even in Portugal since 1985. It was found on the southern coast of Portugal parasitizingAphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe. In 1986 it spread towards the North, its host range expanded and now includesAphis chloris Koch,Aphis citricola van der Goot,Aphis fabae Scopoli,Aphis frangulae Kaltenbach,Aphis gossypii Glover,A. nerii, Aphis parietariae Theobald,Aphis sedi Kaltenbach,Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe). The proved complete development and a high parasitization ofL. testaceipes onA. citricola is the 1st case in the whole Mediterranean, from where only incomplete development and a negligible percentage of parasitization (Italy) have been reported. Both the host range composition and development ofL. testaceipes indicate an increase of genetic polymorphism in the established populations. Interspecific relations ofL. testaceipes and the indigenous parasitoid species indicate an increasing dominance of the exotic biocontrol agent.

The identity and bionomics of insect vectors of tristeza and greening diseases of citrus in Ethiopia

Abstract Survey studies were carried out to determine the identity and bionomics of insect vectors of tristeza and greening diseases of citrus in citrus growing regions of Ethiopia between 1982 and 1985: Results of these studies revealed that three species of aphids: Aphis gossypii Glover, Toxoptera aurantii Boyer de Fonscolombe and T. citricidus (Kirkaldy), were implicated in tristeza, whereas the citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, was solely responsible for greening; the Asiatic psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, was not found in this country. Among the aphids, A. gossypii was least common on citrus while T. aurantii was found in large numbers and was widely distributed throughout the country; T. citricidus was confined mainly to the middle Awash areas. Trioza erytrea was widely spread in the country above 1500 m and was more severe at higher altitudes. Host range studies indicated that A. gossypii, T. aurantii and T. erytreae are polyphagous while T. citricidus was found only on citrus. No parasitoid was reared from A. gossypii during the study while five and six species were identified from T. aurantii and T. erytreae respectively. The encyrtids, Psyllaephagus pulvinatus (Waterston) and Psyllaephagus sp. were the dominant and widely distributed primary parasitoids of T. erytreae. Eleven species of predators were recorded on one or more of the insect vectors.

Interactions betweenAcyrthosiphon kondoi [Homoptera: Aphidoidea] andAphelinus asychis [Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea] and other parasites and hosts

In laboratory trials to investigate the parasite/host spectra of certain aphid pests and hymenopterous parasites, the aphidAcyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji encapsulated the egg of the aphelinid parasiteAphelinus asychis Walker. The resultant brown, sclerotic capsule was formed within 24 h of exposure of the aphid to parasitization and as far as is known prevented the development of the parasite to the larval stage. The capsule remained throughout the life of the aphid, whose longevity and fecundity were apparently not seriously impaired. A small number ofAphelinus escaped encapsulation, especially in aphids already containing capsule(s), and developed into normal, reproductive adults.A. kondoi did not encapsulate, andA. asychis was not encapsulated by any other species. However, thoughA. asychis readily parasitizedAphis citricola van der Goot,A. nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe andToxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy), most of its progeny ceased development in these aphids before reaching the mummification stage, and died within the dead or dying, non-mummified aphid host.

The potential host ranges in Australia of some imported aphid parasites [Hym: Ichneumonoidea: Aphidiidae

Host selection trials on restricted populations of the aphidiid parasites,Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) andL. testaceipes (Cresson), imported into Australia as biological control agents ofAphis craccivora Koch, the cowpea aphid, have shown that these imported parasites are not widely polyphagous, and thus support a view that the 2 species, as presently recognized, each represent a complex of host-restricted biotypes or of sibling species. Whereas both of the importedLysiphlebus readily oviposited in species ofAphis andToxoptera, and developed successfully to adulthood inA. craccivora, A. gossypii Glover andT. aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe), they failed to complete development inA. citricola van der Goot, one of the most common aphid species in Australia, and only a small number completed development inT. citricidus (Kirkaldy). Both of these hosts, then, act as “egg traps” for theLysiphlebus. A. nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe was a suitable host forL. testaceipes but not forL. fabarum. NeitherL. fabarum notL. testaceipes oviposited inCavariella aegopodii (Scopoli),Brevicoryne brassicae (L.),Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kaltenbach),B. persicae (Passerini),Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.),Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji,A. pisum (Harris),Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) orM. rosae (L.); andL. fabarum did not oviposit inRhopalosiphum padi (L.) orMyzus persicae (Sulzer). The prognosis for the effective establishment in Australia of these 2 parasites is therefore not good

Oleander Aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The oleander aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, sometimes called the milkweed aphid, is a common pest of several important ornamental plants in the families Apocynaceae and Asclepiadaceae. This bright yellow aphid with black appendages is commonly found in Florida feeding on oleander, Nerium oleander, milkweeds, such as butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, and scarlet milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, and wax plant, Hoya carnosa. This document is EENY-247, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: November, 2001. 
 EENY247/IN520: Oleander Aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae) (ufl.edu)

Host Plants of Sixteen Aphids from Banana Plantations in Honduras

The ground cover plants in banana plantations of the Ulua Valley in northern Honduras were examined for aphids, particularly Aphis gossypii Glover, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) which have vectored a virus disease of bananas experimentally. In addition, the following aphids were found: Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, A. craccivora Koch, A. spiraecola Patch, A. coreopsidis Thomas, A. illinoisensis Shimer, Toxoptera aurantii (Fonscolombe), Tetraneura hirsuta (Baker), Capitophorus eleagni (Del Guercio), Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas), Hyadaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis), Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy), Dactynotus verbesinae (Boudreaux), and Pentalonia nigronervosa (Coquerel). The host plants and the place on the plant where the aphids were found are listed under each aphid species.

Contribuição para o conhecimento do pulgão Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, 1841 (Homoptera, Aphididae)

This paper deals with the oleander aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, 1841, a very common aphid at Piracicaba (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil).

The most important species of aphids attacking cruciferous crops in California

Abstract does not appear. First page follows. Aphids cause great damage to cruciferous crops—broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard, radishes, turnips, and others. These insects weaken, stunt, and sometimes even kill the plants by sucking the juice. They may make cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli wholly unfit to market, for it is difficult or impossible to remove them from the heads of such plants. On seed farms, they may completely destroy the plants before harvest by infesting the seedstalks. They cause even greater losses by transmitting plant viruses, which may destroy the plants over considerable areas. Three aphid species that breed on these plants are responsible for most of the damage in California. These are the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus); the turnip or false cabbage aphid, Rhopalosiphum pseudobrassicae (Davis); and the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). All three species have become world wide in distribution and are to be found generally throughout the ranges of the host plants. This paper assembles the salient facts on their synonymy, characteristics, life histories, distribution, and host plants, as a basis for studies on their transmission of viruses and on their control. The Cabbage Aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) (Van der Goot, 1915), (1918)3, 4 Aphis brassicae(Linnaeus (1746), (1758)5 Aphis raphani(Schrank (1801))6 Aphis insatidis(Boyer de Fonscolombe (1841))7 Aphis floris-rapae(Curtis (1860), p. 69-83)8 The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) is usually more abundant on cruciferous crops than any other aphid and is therefore more injurious. The cabbage aphid can be distinguished from other aphids by the large closely crowded colonies (fig. 1), the white waxy powdery covering over the bodies of the alate and apterous individuals, and the cruciferous host plant.