Long-term effects of elevated CO 2 and temperature on populations of the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae and its parasitoid Aphidius matricariae

Abstract

Model terrestrial ecosystems were set-up in the Ecotron controlled environment facility. The effects of elevated CO (ambient + 200 [Formula: see text]mol/mol) and temperature (ambient + 2.0°C) on plant chemistry, the abundance of the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae, and on the performance of one of its parasitoids Aphidius matricariae, were studied. Total above-ground plant biomass at the end of the experiment was not affected by elevated atmospheric CO, nor were foliar nitrogen and carbon concentrations. Elevated temperature decreased final plant biomass while leaf nitrogen concentrations increased. Aphid abundance was enhanced by both the␣CO and temperature treatment. Parasitism rates remained unchanged in elevated CO, but showed an increasing trend in conditions of elevated temperature. Our results suggest that M. persicae, an important pest of many crops, might increase its abundance under conditions of climate change.

Predicting species distribution and abundance responses to climate change: why it is essential to include biotic interactions across trophic levels

“…The outcomes of plantenemy interactions also depend on the responses of carnivores. In an Ecotron experiment with the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae) and the parasitoid Aphidius matricariae, elevated temperature decreased plant biomass, and increased plant nitrogen concentration and aphid abundance, whereas the parasitoid showed only a trend of increase (Bezemer et al 1998). In that case, climate warming decoupled trophic interactions at positions between primary consumers (herbivores) and their predators.…”

The spatial distribution of Hymenoptera parasitoids in a forest reserve in Central Amazonia, Manaus, AM, Brazil

“…Many studies have shown the importance of tritrophic interactions when evaluating the effect of environmental changes (e.g. Bezemer et al, 1998;Coley, 1998;Johns and Hughes, 2002;Hamilton et al, 2004;Menéndez, 2007;Thuiller, 2007;Battisti, 2008).…”

Influence of leaf chemistry of Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae) on larval development of Polyommatus icarus (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae): effects of elevated CO2 and plant genotype

“…While most previous studies consider moths (see Watt et al 1995; for reviews), butterflies or other insects are less often investigated (but see, e.g., Awmack, Harrington & Leather 1997;Hughes & Bazzaz 1997;Bezemer, Jones & Knight 1998;Brooks & Whittaker 1998;Smith & Jones 1998). Because the response of plants and insects to elevated CO 2 are extremely species-specific, and different insect feeding guilds show different responses , further studies, especially long-term investigations including host-selection behaviour under elevated CO 2 , and considering the genetic variation in natural populations for the CO 2 response, are still needed.…”