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Occurrence of holocyclic and anholocyclic populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae (Hom., Aphididae) in the northeast of Spain
Author(s) -
Pons X.,
Comas J.,
Albajes R.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1995.tb01266.x
Subject(s) - rhopalosiphum padi , biology , sitobion avenae , aphididae , alate , aphid , overwintering , population , agronomy , botany , pest analysis , homoptera , demography , sociology
A seven‐year study has been carried out in Lleida (NE Spain) to evaluate the relative occurrence of holocyclic and anholocyclic populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae and how this may determine their population dynamics and the BYDV epidemiology. Winter cereal, forage cereals and cereal volunteers were sampled in autumn, winter and the beginning of spring using a D‐Vac. Alates were also monitored with a suction trap. A number of twigs of several species of Prunus sp. other than Prunus padus , which is absent from the region, were monitored for R. padi eggs and fundatrices. The following features were found: (1) low percentage of males caught in suction traps and D‐Vac samplings; (2) no sexual morphs or eggs of S. avenae were found on winter and forage cereals and volunteers; (3) no eggs and fundatrices of R. padi could be detected on possible alternative primary hosts; and (4) a wide presence and development of populations of both aphid species on cereals over the autumn and winter. These findings support the hypothesis that the anholocycle is the main overwintering strategy for R. padi and S. avenae. This would enhance the influence of winter conditions—mainly temperature and rainfall—on the yearly population dynamics of cereal aphids and on BYDV epidemiology.