Aphidius transcaspicus Telenga, a mealy plum aphid (Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy) parasitoid from the Mediterranean, was recently introduced into Hawaii for control of invasive aphids. Under laboratory conditions the parasitoid successfully attacked several important aphid pests in Hawaii, including the melon aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, the banana aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa (Coquerel), the gr...

Abstract For herbivorous insects, dropping from the host plant is a commonly-observed antipredator defence. The use of compared to other behaviours and its timing in relation contact with predator was explored both pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) potato Macrosiphum euphorbiae ). Pea dropped more frequently response ladybird adults Adalia bipunctata than lacewing larvae Chrysoperla carnea Pot...

The influence of different semi-natural surroundings adjacent to apple orchards on the occurrence predatory syrphids and biological control Aphis pomi Deg. Dysaphis plantaginea Pass. was compared. Two methods catching hoverflies were used: yellow traps collect adults hand picking get larvae from aphid colonies. A total 1029 Syrphidae (26 species belonging 14 genera) subfamily Syrphinae collecte...

1. Intraguild predation occurs when top predators feed upon both intermediate predators and herbivores. Intraguild predators may thus have little net impact on herbivore abundance. Variation among communities in the strength of trophic cascades (the indirect effects of predators on plants) may be due to differing frequencies of intraguild predation. Less is known about the influence of variatio...

Recent studies have suggested that an extended postreproductive life span, such as life after menopause in human females, will evolve when the indirect (kin-selected) fitness benefits from altruistic behavior are greater than the direct fitness benefits from continuing reproduction. Under some conditions in which postreproductive altruism is more beneficial and/or continuing reproduction is mor...

In colonies of social insects, non-random spatial positioning within the colonies may reflect division of labour and improve colony efficiency. Here, we describe a novel defence system in the colony of a gall-forming social aphid, Quadrartus yoshinomiyai (Nipponaphidini), where young and old defensive aphids move towards the dangerous area typically associated with a higher risk of predation, w...

(1) Intraguild predation (IGP) can occur among aphidophagous predators thus reducing their effectiveness in controlling crop pests. Among ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata Goeze are the most effective predators upon Aphis gossypii Glov., which is an economically important pest of melon. Understanding their likelihood to engage in reciprocal predation is a key poin...

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines was first observed in Wisconsin during the 2000 growing season. Since its introduction many commercial soybean fields have exhibited high levels of aphid activity and yield losses have been widely reported from aphid feeding damage. Field observations of heavy soybean aphid infestations have suggested a potential link between potassium deficiency in soybeans an...