Aphidius colemani Vier. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) detected in cereal fields in Germany

Abstract

Studies conducted in the 2000 cropping season at two different localities, Flaeming and Magdeburger Boerde in Germany, have provided new information on cereal aphid (Sitobion avenae (F.), Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)) parasitoids in winter wheat; their species composition, relative abundance, hosts, and location effects. The average aphid population density was higher at Magdeburger Boerde and lower at Flaeming. Among the aphid species, Sitobion avenae was more abundant at Flaeming and Metopolophium dirhodum at Magdeburger Boerde. In total, eight species of primary parasitoids were recorded: Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez, Aphidius uzbekistanicus Luzhetzki, Aphidius ervi Haliday, Aphidius picipes (Nees), Ephedrus plagiator (Nees), Praon gallicum Stary Â, and Praon volucre (Haliday). The predominant parasitoid species were Aphidius colemani and Aphidius rhopalosiphi on Metopolophium dirhodum and Aphidius uzbekistanicus on Sitobion avenae. A low number of hyperparasitoids were also recorded. Aphidius colemani was recorded for the first time in the open winter wheat fields in Germany, although it has been used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses in many European countries and overseas. An analysis of the aforementioned information shows that Aphidius colemani detected as a parasitoid of cereal aphids in Germany is likely a result of an accidental escape of parasitoids from a glasshouse, as well as their successful overwintering and establishment in the area. This study provides baseline information essential for assessing future changes in aphid parasitoid species guild and dynamics in cereal fields in Germany.U.S.

Cereal aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) in Serbia: Seasonal dynamics and natural enemies

“…The parasitoid complex of cereal aphids in Serbia is similar to that found in the rest of Europe (Starý, 1976;Pankanin-Franczyk & Ceryngier, 1995;Adisu et al, 2002;Sigsgaard, 2002;Lumbierres et al, 2007) but the abundance of the individual species is different. Surprisingly, D. noxia is rarely recorded in Serbia (Petrović, 1996), and neighboring parts of Hungary, but it is more abundant in Central Europe (Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany), where it is the dominant pest of barley even at high altitudes (Starý, 2000;Starý et al, 2003).…”

“…Also, P. gallicum and A. rhopalosiphi are dominant parasitoid species of M. dirhodum and R. padi. In western and central Europe P. gallicum is rarely collected (Starý, 1976, Adisu et al, 2002 but was recently found for the first time on the Iberian Peninsula (Lumbierres et al, 2007). Additionally, Toxares deltiger (Haliday) is unrecorded in Serbia, despite a long term survey of parasitoids there.…”

“…This species is used as a biocontrol agent in glasshouses and in the open field in several countries (Starý, 2002). However, its establishement in the field was achieved either by direct introduction (Czech Republic) (Starý, 2002) or accidental escape from glasshouses (Germany) where it is now a dominant parasitoid of M. dirhodum (Adisu et al, 2002). However, in spite of its utilisation in glasshouses in several European countries A. colemani was not detected in cereal communities in Serbia.…”

“…Their economic importance is determined by their impact on cereal aphid populations in various regions/countries (Adisu et al, 2002). Cereal aphid communities are characterized by numerous trophic interactions with their natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) (Jones, 1972;Pankanin-Franczyk & Ceryngier, 1995;Lumbierres et al, 2007).…”

Responses of Cereal Aphids and Their Parasitic Wasps to Landscape Complexity

“…Aphidophagous parasitoids, which are found in many regions of the world, help to regulate aphid populations in wheat crops (Adisu et al 2002, Schmidt et al 2003, Saethre et al 2011, Plećaša et al 2014, Elliot et al 2014, Zhao et al 2014. In temperate regions, is common aphids sexually reproduce during severe winters, and the female aphids usually lay their eggs on primary (harboreus) host plants (Starý and Havelka 2008).…”