Brassica aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations are conditioned by climatic variables and parasitism level: a study case of Triângulo Mineiro, Brazil.
Cosmopolitan pests such as Brevicoryne brassicae, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae, and Myzus persicae (Aphididae) cause significant damage to Brassicaceae crops. Assessment of the important biotic and abiotic factors that regulate these pests is an essential step in the development of effective Integrated Pest Management programs for these aphids. This study evaluated the influence of leaf position, precipitation, temperature, and parasitism on populations of L. pseudobrassicae, M. persicae, and B. brassicae in collard greens fields in the Triângulo Mineiro region (Minas Gerais state), Brazil. Similar numbers of B. brassicae were found on all parts of the collard green plants, whereas M. persicae and L. pseudobrassicae were found in greatest numbers on the middle and lower parts of the plant. While temperature and precipitation were positively related to aphid population size, their effects were not accumulative, as indicated by a negative interaction term. Although Diaeretiella rapae was the main parasitoid of these aphids, hyperparasitism was dominant; the main hyperparasitoid species recovered from plant samples was Alloxysta fuscicornis. Parasitoids seem to have similar distributions on plants as their hosts. These results may help predict aphid outbreaks and gives clues for specific intra-plant locations when searching for and monitoring aphid populations.
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
M V
MV
Sampaio
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
A P
AP
Korndörfer
Department of Animal Biology,Faculty of Biology,University of Barcelona,Spain.
J
J
Pujade-Villar
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
J E A
JEA
Hubaide
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
S E
SE
Ferreira
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
S O
SO
Arantes
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
D M
DM
Bortoletto
Federal University of Uberlândia, Agronomic Institute,Uberlândia - Minas Gerais,Brazil.
C M
CM
Guimarães
Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Technical University of Catalonia,Barcelona,Spain.
J A
JA
Sánchez-Espigares
Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona, Laboratory of Nature, Arthropods Department,MCNB,Barcelona,Spain.
B
B
Caballero-López
D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D001938:Brazil; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D011891:Rain; D013696:Temperature

               Brevicoryne brassicae
            ; 
               Lipaphis pseudobrassicae
            ; 
               Myzus persicae
            ; climatic variables; hurdle models; parasitism