Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem
<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=<i>Melanaphis sacchari</i> Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of <i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found to prey on <i&g...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/606 |
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| author | Ashleigh M. Faris Michael J. Brewer Norman C. Elliott |
| author_facet | Ashleigh M. Faris Michael J. Brewer Norman C. Elliott |
| author_sort | Ashleigh M. Faris |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=<i>Melanaphis sacchari</i> Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of <i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found to prey on <i>M. sorghi</i>. Natural enemies may reside in vegetation such as sorghum in cultivation (in-season) and persist after harvest (off-season), in Johnson grass (<i>Sorghum halepense</i>) (L.) and riparian areas consisting of shrubs and grasses, including Johnson grass. The objective was to assess the ability of these vegetation types to harbor <i>M. sorghi</i> natural enemies during and between annual grain sorghum production. Predator diversity was greatest in riparian vegetation in-season, with twelve species detected across seven families, and four orders of insects. Six lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species were abundant in-season, and <i>Cycloneda sanguinea</i> (L.) persisted at relatively high abundance off-season. Parasitoid diversity was more limited (two primary parasitoids and one hyperparasitoid detected) with the primary parasitoids commonly detected. <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), accounted for 85% and 57% of parasitoids in- and off-season, respectively. <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> abundance was steady across the annual sorghum season in all vegetation types. Results from this study will inform land-management strategies on how diverse vegetations can play a role in the biological control of <i>M. sorghi.</i> |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:20:03Z |
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| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:20:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-13f8f945407a4fbe93411b161ab9aa742023-12-03T15:11:45ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502022-07-0113760610.3390/insects13070606Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum AgroecosystemAshleigh M. Faris0Michael J. Brewer1Norman C. Elliott2Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2475, College Station, TX 77843, USADepartment of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2475, College Station, TX 77843, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Services, 1301 North Western Road, Stillwater, OK 74075, USA<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=<i>Melanaphis sacchari</i> Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of <i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found to prey on <i>M. sorghi</i>. Natural enemies may reside in vegetation such as sorghum in cultivation (in-season) and persist after harvest (off-season), in Johnson grass (<i>Sorghum halepense</i>) (L.) and riparian areas consisting of shrubs and grasses, including Johnson grass. The objective was to assess the ability of these vegetation types to harbor <i>M. sorghi</i> natural enemies during and between annual grain sorghum production. Predator diversity was greatest in riparian vegetation in-season, with twelve species detected across seven families, and four orders of insects. Six lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species were abundant in-season, and <i>Cycloneda sanguinea</i> (L.) persisted at relatively high abundance off-season. Parasitoid diversity was more limited (two primary parasitoids and one hyperparasitoid detected) with the primary parasitoids commonly detected. <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), accounted for 85% and 57% of parasitoids in- and off-season, respectively. <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> abundance was steady across the annual sorghum season in all vegetation types. Results from this study will inform land-management strategies on how diverse vegetations can play a role in the biological control of <i>M. sorghi.</i>https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/606AphididaeApehlinidaeCoccinellidaenatural enemies<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> |
| spellingShingle | Ashleigh M. Faris Michael J. Brewer Norman C. Elliott Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem Insects Aphididae Apehlinidae Coccinellidae natural enemies <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> |
| title | Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem |
| title_full | Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem |
| title_fullStr | Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem |
| title_short | Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem |
| title_sort | parasitoids and predators of the invasive aphid i melanaphis sorghi i found in sorghum and non crop vegetation of the sorghum agroecosystem |
| topic | Aphididae Apehlinidae Coccinellidae natural enemies <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/7/606 |
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