New records of aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Greece

Τις τελευταίες δυο δεκαετίες έχουν δημοσιευθεί αρκετές εργασίες σχετικές με την αφιδοπανίδα της Ελλάδας. Ωστόσο, ο αριθμός των καταγεγραμμένων ειδών αφίδων είναι αρκετά μικρότερος από άλλες Ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, συμπεριλαμβανομένων αυτών στη λεκάνη της Μεσογείου. Στην παρούσα εργασία συλλέξαμε δείγματα αφίδων από διάφορους ξενιστές και περιοχές της νότιας, κεντρικής και βόρειας Ελλάδας. Συνολικά συλλέχθηκαν 128 είδη αφίδων, που ανήκουν σε 55 γένη και έξι υποοικογένειες, από 200 είδη φυτών-ξενιστών. Τα περισσότερα είδη αφίδων ανήκαν στην υποοικογένεια Aphidinae (ειδικά στις φυλές Macrosiphini και Aphidini). Δεκαοκτώ από τα συλλεχθέντα είδη είναι νέες αναφορές για την Ελλάδα. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας εργασίας αυξάνουν τη γνώση μας σχετικά με την αφιδοπανίδα της Ελλάδας και δείχνουν ότι ο αριθμός των καταγεγραμμένων ειδών στην Ελλάδα μπορεί να αυξηθεί σημαντικά αν πραγματοποιηθούν επιπλέον σχετικές μελέτες. Several papers have been published on aphid fauna in Greece during the last two decades, but the number of recorded species is still low compared to other European countries, including some from the Mediterranean basin. In this context, we collected aphids from various host-plants and regions in southern, central and northern Greece characterized by diverse flora, climatic conditions and ecological habitats. In total, 128 aphid species belonging to 55 genera and six subfamilies were collected on 200 host-species. Most of the species dominated the subfamily Aphidinae (especially tribes Macrosiphini and Aphidini). Among the species collected, 18 were new records in Greece. The present work improves our knowledge regarding the aphid fauna of Greece and suggests that the number of recorded species could increase further if additional studies were undertaken

Life histories of generalist predatory species, control agents of the Cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Biological traits of two populations of each of the predators Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus 1758, Hippodamia convergens Guérin- Méneville 1842 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla carnea sl (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from different regions of Greece reared on Aphis gossypii Glover 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were studied in the laboratory. The demographic traits in one population from each species were also examined. Egg mortality and preimaginal development were the lowest and highest, respectively in C carnea, while larval, pupal and total preimaginal mortality were the lowest in H convergens. Larvae of C carnea were the most voracious among species, while the last larval instar was the most voracious in all species. Female longevity, fecundity and net reproductive rate were the greatest in C carnea (62.1 days, 581.3 eggs and 148.9 females/female, respectively). Hippodamia convergens showed the shortest preoviposition period (2.6 days) and generation time (34.3 days) and the highest intrinsic rate of population increase (0.124 females/female/day). Significant intrapopulation variation in the preoviposition periods and oviposition rates of C septempunctata was observed. The study highlighted the potential of the three predators as control agents of the cotton aphid. Each species demonstrated relative advantages toward the others, which could be beneficial in certain phases of aphid control in natural conditions. © 2007 E. Schwcizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung

Performance of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera : Aphididae) lineages on cotton varieties

The performance of three clonal lineages of Aphis gossypii Glover originating from central Greece was studied on six commercial cotton cultivars that differ with respect to leaf pubescence traits (Zeta-2, Zeta-5, Eva, Korina, Acala-SJ2 and Sindos-80). Two main laboratory experiments were conducted: (i) one clonal lineage was studied on all six varieties; and (ii) four varieties were assayed with two other lineages. Aphid development, fecundity, longevity and mortality were recorded and life-table characteristics estimated for all varieties. The results showed that leaf trichome density was significantly correlated with aphid performance (i.e. positive correlation with intrinsic rate of increase and fecundity, and negative correlation with developmental time) in both experiments. Leaf hairiness was at least partly responsible for the poorer performance in cotton aphid lineages. We hypothesise that other factors such as allelochemicals (e.g., gossypol, tannins), which are known to affect hemipteran insects, also might be involved

Predominance of parthenogenetic reproduction in Aphis gossypii populations on summer crops and weeds in Greece

The photoperiodic response of 56 parthenogenetic lineages of Aphis gossypii Glover was examined by rearing the aphids for three generations under short day conditions (SD, L 10:13 14) and 17 degrees C. The lineages were derived from aphid samples collected in central and northern Greece from various crops and uncultivated plants of the families Asteraceae [chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum sp., smooth sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus L. and dahlia Dahlia variabilis (Willd.)], Cucurbitaceac [watermelon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) and zucchini Cucurbita pepo L.] and Malvaceae [cotton Gossypium hirsutum L., okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.), and rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus L.]. The results showed that the predominant life cycle category in both central and northern Greece (despite possible differences in winter severity among regions) was obligate parthenogenetic (anholocyclic) as 55 out of the 56 lineages belonged to this category. These lineages produced mostly wingless parthenogenetic females at percentages 59-83% and 48-86% in the first and late born progeny of the second generation under SD, respectively. The remaining percentages refer to winged parthenogenetic females. The only lineage capable of sexual reproduction was an 'intermediate' one which was sampled on cotton in northern Greece. Most of its progeny in the second generation under SD were wingless parthenogenetic females (65%). The percentage of winged parthenogenetic females, males and 'intermediate' females (produce wingless parthenogenetic and a few sexual females) were 8, 22, and 5%, respectively. The results reported here are considered as the first for southern European populations and support the general belief that A. gossypii is mostly anholocyclic in Europe

First record of the grapevine aphid Aphis illinoisensis in the island of Kriti, Greece

The grapevine aphid Aphis illinoisensis was recently recorded in several areas on grapevine in the island of Kriti in Greece. It was found in Greece less than three years after the first record of the aphid outside the American continent in south Turkey, and it is likely that it will spread to other Mediterranean countries. © 2005 OEPP/EPPO

Performance of the tobacco aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera : Aphididae) on Oriental and Virginia tobacco varieties

1 The life parameters of one red and one green clone of Myzus persicae reared on 11 Oriental tobacco type varieties (KP7, K63, KZ10/z, MA13/b, BX2/a, N34/4, KP14/a, Kolindros, S79, TA21 and BX81) and on five Virginia ones (VE9, VE3, SPG28-VE2, Kleio-KN1 and Niki-NK3) at 20degreesC and LD 16: 8 h were examined. 2 In general, the clones, performed better on Oriental than on Virginia type varieties. The varieties TA21 and Kolindros could be considered as the most resistant among the Oriental ones. Aphids on Virginia varieties showed longer developmental time (9.1-9.6days), a lower intrinsic rate of increase (0.2347-0.2647) and higher nymphal mortality (27.9-52.5%) than on Oriental varieties. The corresponding values in the latter were 7.3-9.0 days, 0.2784-0.3302 and 10.0-47.9%. 3 The leaves of Virginia type varieties (188-471 hairs/cm(2)) and one Oriental (K63) 273 hairs/cm(2) were more hairy than the other Oriental type varieties (61-150 hairs/cm(2)). The Virginia type varieties showed also a lower level of reducing sugars (3.5-7.2%) than the Oriental ones (7.0-9.8%). Trichome density and level of reducing sugars were significantly negatively correlated with developmental time and intrinsic rate of increase. 4 An interclonal variation in performance, possibly related to the colour of aphids, was observed. The red clone performed better than the green one. The same trend was observed when the results of the previous clones on the variety KP14/a were analysed with the data obtained on the same variety from two other clones (one red and one green)

The grapevine aphid, Aphis illinoisensis: thermal requirements for development and its performance on six grapevine cultivars

The grapevine aphid, Aphis illinoisensis (Shimer), has invaded various regions in the Mediterranean basin. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal requirements for aphid development and to assess its performance on six grapevine cultivars of economic importance in Greece. The grapevine aphid was reared at four constant temperatures (17 - 26 degrees C) on 'Soultanina' and 'Agiorgitiko' cultivars and the thermal summation method was applied to estimate the lower developmental thresholds and the thermal constants in each cultivar. In addition, age-specific life tables were constructed and population growth parameters on cultivars 'Soultanina', 'Savvatiano', 'Moscato Bianco', 'Agiorgitiko', 'Mavrodafni' and 'Merlot' were estimated at 23 degrees C. Our data revealed that aphids develop faster with increasing temperatures within the 17 - 26 degrees C range on both cultivars. The theoretical lower developmental threshold was 4.2 degrees C and 5.4 degrees C and 110.9 and 104.1 day-degrees were required for aphids to reach adulthood on 'Soultanina' and 'Agiorgitiko', respectively. Mean adult longevity and mean post-reproductive period varied significantly among cultivars. Aphids lived significantly longer on 'Savvatiano' than on 'Moscato Bianco', 'Soultanina' and 'Mavrodafni', and the longest post-reproductive period were recorded for aphids reared on 'Savvatiano', 'Agiorgitiko' and 'Merlot'. However, mortality and developmental rates, mean lifetime fecundity and population growth parameters didn't differ significantly among grapevine cultivars. Overall, our data showed that all examined cultivars are suitable hosts for the aphid. This study is the first dealing with the development and population growth of A. illinoisensis related to temperature and the results contribute to better understanding the biology of the species and improve pest management practices

First data on the occurrence of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Greece

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of cultivated corn in North America. It invaded Europe (Belgrade, Serbia) in the early 90s and since then it has rapidly dispersed to several European countries. In 2009, a survey, supported by the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food in several corn-producing prefectures of Greece, revealed the presence of D. virgifera virgifera for the fi rst time in the country. The survey included sampling of young plants, visual inspection of corn fields and deployment of pheromone traps. The western corn rootworm, which, during the survey, was recorded only in pheromone traps, was first detected in the area of Thessaloniki (northern Greece) in July 2009, and subsequently in Serres, Florina and Pieria prefectures. © Benaki Phytopathological Institute

A contribution to the aphid fauna of Greece

In the present study a list of the aphid species recorded in Greece is provided. The list includes records before 1992, which have been published in previous papers, as well as data from an almost ten-year survey using Rothamsted suction traps and Moericke traps. The recorded aphidofauna consisted of 301 species. The family Aphididae is represented by 13 subfamilies and 120 genera (300 species), while only one genus (1 species) belongs to Phylloxeridae. The aphid fauna is dominated by the subfamily Aphidinae (57.1 and 68.4 % of the total number of genera and species, respectively), especially the tribe Macrosiphini, and to a lesser extent the subfamily Eriosomatinae (12.6 and 8.3 % of the total number of genera and species, respectively). The number of species recorded in Greece is much lower than that in European countries, including those from the Mediterranean basin, where the aphid fauna is well investigated. Thus, we believe that with further research the recorded Greek aphidofauna will be substantially increased