On the Synonymy and Biology of the Strawberry Aphis, Capitophorus fragariae, Theo. (1912)

Abstract

1. Reference is made to the proven capacity of aphides of the genus Capitophorus to transmit virus disease among strawberries, and attention is drawn to the confusion existing as to the actual synonymy of the insect principally concerned.2. For the first time sexual and asexual forms of the species commonly present in England have been observed together. Evidence is considered which suggests that the aphis is Capitophorus fragariae, Theo., and that American forms are in reality other, but closely related, species.3. The incidence of the aphis in the field is considered, and the biology as observed in field and laboratory is discussed.4. The economic significance of the aphis is referred to, and attention is drawn to the practical difficulties attending efforts to keep it in control, particularly in commercial strawberry-growing areas.

Biology of the strawberry aphids,Pentatrichopus fragaefolii(Cockerell) andP. thomasiHille Ris Lambers, in California

“…Myzus fragariae, described in Europe by T'heobald (1912), was placed in synonymy by Hottes and Frison (1931). Hodson (1937) disputed the synonymy because of differences between North American and European specimens. This confusion was clarified somewhat when Thomas and Jacob (1941) observed the existence of a complex in North America.…”

“…On few occasions, and these apparently exceptional, has Pentatrichopus fragaefolii been found to infest this host under natural conditions (Massee et al, 1938;Dicker, 1952a). There are numerous reports, however, that F. vesca may be readily infested artificially or when May, 1962] Schaefers-Allen : Strawberry Aphids 397 the host is removed from its natural habitat (Massee, 1935;Hodson, 1937;Thomas and Jacob, 1940;Greenslade, 1941;Hille Ris Lambers, 1953). Hille Ris Lambers suggested that the conditions of relative humidity under which the plant grows are responsible for a high mortality of the aphids at the time of molting.…”

“…P. fragaefolii was induced to breed on, cultivated rose by Hodson (1937) and was found on one occasion to be naturally infesting cultivated rose by Thomas and Jacob (1940). Thomas and Jacob (1941) did not distinguish between the light and dark forms of P. thomasi when they reported its occurrence on rose.…”

Aphid Species and Population Dynamics Associated with Strawberry

“…Similarly, Aphis forbesi (Weed) was also cited as Cerosipha forbesi (Weed) (Salles 2003). According to Remaudière et al (1997), the genera Pentatrichopus and Capitophorus cited by Hodson (1937) and Salles (2003) are no longer reported in the literature or even as synonymy. Also, the genus Cerosipha cited in the studies by Salles (2003) is considered a synonym for the genus Aphis (Remaudière et al 1997).…”

Comparison of vector-virus relationships of strawberry crinkle plant Rhabdovirus in two aphids (Chaetosiphon fragaefoliiandC. jacobi) infected by injection

“…Insectary/laboratory studies. In England, Hodson (1937) reported that the apterous larval developmental time of C. fragariae (= fragaefo/ii) varied from 13 to 25 days under insectary conditions where the temperature ranged from 7°to 18°C. The insects were reared on potted commercial strawberry plants.…”