Research of Aphididae of Cereals and Legumes of the Northeastern Ukraine.

Introduction. The article presents the results of research to establish the species composition of aphids –pests of cereals and legumes of agricultural farm of Kharkov region and analyzes their ecological and biological features. The research was conducted for several years in the spring and summer in the Kupyansk district, Kharkov region. A study of constant changes in the species composition of aphidofauna and recommendations for regulating the number of pests is very relevant today.Purpose.The purpose of the study is to investigate the composition of aphidofauna species of cereals and legumes today and to study the dynamics of the abundance of common species in the field of research.Methods.Inspection of infected plants, determination of the degree of colonization by aphids of each plant. Collecting aphids and determining their species.Results. Thirteen species of aphids of the family Aphididae have been collected and identified. Among the cultivated plants, fields sown with 14 species of cereals and legumes were surveyed. By type of food, certain species of aphids are conditionally divided into oligophages (5 species) and polyphages (8 species). In the aphidofauna of Ukraine, monoecious (non-migratory) life cycles are typicalfor 6 species (46% of the total number), dioecious (migratory) for 7 species (54%) of aphids. The largest number of aphid colonies was recorded on cereals and legumes at the edges of fields bordering on separate strips of woody-shrub and herbaceous vegetation, which serves as an additional forage base or primary host in the dioecious life cycle of some species. Significant aphid damage to cereals was observed during the end of milky –the beginning of waxy ripeness of grain, on the tops of shoots on corn, and in legumes –during the entire growing season on young leaves and stems. As for climatic factors, there was an increase in the number of aphids on cereals in hot dry weather, and on legumes –in moderately warm and humid. Heavy rains suppressed the rapid reproduction and development of all species of aphids. Conclusion.As a result of research, 13 species of aphids of the family true aphids Aphididae were found and identified.The most numerous were polyphagous aphids: the large cereal aphid Sitobion avenae Fabricius, 1775, the common cereal aphid Schizaphis graminum Rondani, 1852, the barley aphid Brachycolus noxius Mordvilko, 1913, the bird-cherry-cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, 1758, elm-cereal, or corn aphid Tetraneura ulmi Linnaeus, 1758, beet-leaf aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763, pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, 1776.Key words: aphids; aphid fauna; cereals; legumes; oligophagеs; polyphagеs