Floral resources to enhance the potential of the parasitoid Aphidius colemani for biological control of the aphid Myzus persicae

Abstract

Flowering plants have been widely used to enhance biological control. However, this approach has been limited to some extent by the lack of suitable flowering plant species of wide applicability, particularly for global pests. A key example is the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (GPA). It is commonly attacked by the polyphagous koinobiont aphidiidae, Aphidius colemani, which is also of global occurrence. Here, eight flowering plants were evaluated for the potential enhancement of GPA biological control using A. colemani under laboratory conditions. These included buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), alyssum (Lobularia maritima), white rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides.), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Origanum marjorana) and pepper mint (Mentha piperita). The effects of access to these flowers on the longevity (days), potential fecundity (number of dissected eggs) and parasitism rate for A. colemani compared with the control treatment (water) were studied. Longevity of A. colemani which had access to buckwheat was 4–5 times longer than the control and 2–3 times longer than it was in the other plant treatments; the latter did not differ significantly between each other. Potential fecundity of A. colemani was the highest when it had been provided with buckwheat flowers. Exposing A. colemani to flowering plants for longer time intervals (12 hr and 24 hr) increased the number of eggs produced compared with 6 hr. The number of parasitized aphids/female A. colemani with buckwheat flowers was the highest of all treatments; it ranged from 14 in the control to 219 with buckwheat. Further studies should be carried out under field conditions to determine the effect of a range of flowering plants on A. colemani. For example, although buckwheat was highly effective, in many climates it may be a useful component in mixtures comprising other, more robust species.

Hymenoptera Complex Associated with Myzus persicae and Hyalopterus spp. in Peach Orchards in Northeastern Spain and Prospects for Biological Control of Aphids

“…Spontaneous flora within and near the orchards may be also important for these parasitoids’ survival, by providing them with alternative hosts, food and refuge, particularly during winter [68,69,70,71,72]. Consistent with this theory, laboratory experiments have confirmed that Aphidinae improve their fitness when flowers are available [73,74].…”

Trap Crops and Insectary Plants in the Order Brassicales

“…Sinapis alba has also been shown to increase the longevity and fecundity of the aphid parasitoid A. colemani (Jado et al 2018). In the presence of S. alba flowers, parasitism of M. persicae by A. colemani increased (Jado et al 2018). Sinapis alba did not significantly increase the longevity of Micrococtonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Vattala et al 2006).…”

“…Compared to other insectary plants, L. maritima stays in bloom for a long time and it attracts less bees that can outcompete hoverflies (Picó and Retana 2001, Ambrosino et al 2006, Hogg et al 2011a. Sinapis alba has also been shown to increase the longevity and fecundity of the aphid parasitoid A. colemani (Jado et al 2018). In the presence of S. alba flowers, parasitism of M. persicae by A. colemani increased (Jado et al 2018).…”

Characterization of Hymenopteran Parasitoids of Aphis fabae in An African Smallholder Bean Farming System Through Sequencing of COI ‘Mini-barcodes’

“…The fact that A. colemani was the only primary parasitoid detected in the field indicates that it is the most immediate candidate for aphid control in these smallholder systems and suggests that biological control of aphids here should thus focus on providing resources that support high A. colemani abundance year-round. This could particularly include food (nectar) resources: Previous studies identified plants including Fagopyrun esculentum , Salvia apiana , Lantana camara , and Conium maculatum as having positive effects on parasitoid longevity and parasitism rates [51,52]. However, these plant species are non-native in northern Tanzania and, as such, are unsuitable for promotion in smallholder East African farming systems, and there has not been sufficient research into the effect they may have on the other trophic levels within these ecosystems.…”