The composition of the aphid fauna (Insecta, Hemiptera) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Abstract

At least a dozen species of aphids (Insecta, Hemiptera) of non-native origin have expanded their range in Europe, however the importance of botanic gardens in this phenomenon has not been studied previously in detail. As a case study, investigations on the species composition and host range of Aphidomorpha in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, United Kingdom, were conducted over a period of twelve days, in June 2017. The inventory study was carried out in the collection of living plants, both in the gardens and the glasshouses and nurseries. In total, 94 taxa of Aphidomorpha are identified (one phylloxerid, one adelgid and 92 species of aphids). 20 species are regarded as alien to the European aphid fauna and among them nine are believed to be the first published records for Kew. 20 species are regarded as serious pests, capable of virus transmission. The list of host plants includes 155 taxa from 89 genera and 49 families. Ericolophium holsti (Takahashi), species of Asiatic origin associated with Rhododendron spp., was found for the first time in the field in the UK. Changes in the species composition of the aphid fauna in reference to the Eastop’s studies in 1960s were discussed.

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“…However, in Korea C. juglandicola has been found also on other Juglans species, e. g. J. mandshurica and J. sinensis (Lee et al 2018). Presently, C. juglandicola and P. juglandis have Eurasian distribution, and both species were introduced in North America (Sluss 1967;Alford 2007;Andersen, Mills 2017;Wieczorek et al 2019). C. juglandicola has also been introduced in Africa (Algeria, Canary Islands and Tunisia) and South America (Argentina and Chile) (Salas et al 2016;CABI 2017).…”

Host instars preference, density-dependent parasitism and behavioral perspective of parasitoids (Aphidius colemani, Aphidius matricariae and Aphelinus abdominalis) in Aphis glycines and Aphis gossypii

“…Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are important insect pests of agricultural crops, which cause huge economic losses (Wickremasinghe and Van-Emden, 1992;Van Emden and Harrington, 2007;Gripenberg et al, 2010;Wieczorek et al, 2019). Aphids are phloem feeding insects and are vectors of a diversity of plant viruses (Ng and Perry, 2004;Wang et al, 2006;Vilcinskas, 2016).…”

New contributions to the Turkish aphid fauna and species composition (Hemiptera: Aphididomorpha) in Isparta forests

“…If these harmful populations do not reach an ecological balance within a certain period, many ecological relationships such as biological diversity and the food cycle can then be negatively impacted (Ayres & Lombardero, 2000;Gullan & Cranston, 2012). Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididomorpha), which are considered significant pests, increase their populations readily by feeding on agricultural, ornamental and forest plant species, and they cause economic loss (Wieczorek et al, 2019). Aphids cause direct damage by feeding on phloem sap, and they also cause indirect damage by leading to sooty mold and by being a vector of plant pathogens (Uygun et al, 2000;Wieczorek et al, 2019).…”

“…Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididomorpha), which are considered significant pests, increase their populations readily by feeding on agricultural, ornamental and forest plant species, and they cause economic loss (Wieczorek et al, 2019). Aphids cause direct damage by feeding on phloem sap, and they also cause indirect damage by leading to sooty mold and by being a vector of plant pathogens (Uygun et al, 2000;Wieczorek et al, 2019). The sooty mold formation blocks stoma, and it prevents photosynthesis and respiration.…”

“…The sooty mold formation blocks stoma, and it prevents photosynthesis and respiration. However, due to their feeding, a loss of quality and yield was observed in plants that lead to gall formation, leaf curving, yellowing and necrosis resulting in a decrease in seed yield, sprout formation, rates of photosynthesis, chlorophyll quantity and plant nutritional elements (Görür, 2008;Wieczorek et al, 2019;Özdemir, 2020). They feed on many parts of their host plants such as the leaf, stem, root and tubers according to their mouth texture.…”