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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #398615
Research Project: Management Strategies for Invasive Aphid Pests of Cereals

Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit

Title: Parasitoids and predators of the invasive aphid Melanaphis sorghi found in sorghum and non-crop vegetation of the sorghum agroecosystem

Author
item FARIS, ASHLEIGH - Texas A&M University
item BREWER, MICHAEL - Texas A&M University
item Elliott, Norman - Norm

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2022
Publication Date: 7/6/2022
Citation: Faris, A.M., Brewer, M.J., Elliott, N.C. 2022. Parasitoids and predators of the invasive aphid Melanaphis sorghi found in sorghum and non-crop vegetation of the sorghum agroecosystem. Insects. 13(7). Article 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070606.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070606

Interpretive Summary: Melanaphis sorghi (sorghum aphid) also called the sugarcane aphid is an invasive pest of sorghum in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found that prey on M. sorghi. Natural enemies may reside in vegetation like sorghum in cultivation and persist after harvest in Johnson grass (a widespread weedy grass) and in areas consisting of shrubs and grasses. The objective was to assess these vegetation types to harbor M. sorghi natural enemies during and between grain sorghum production seasons. Predator diversity was greatest in riparian vegetation during the sorghum growing season with twelve species. Six lady beetle species were abundant in-season, and the lady beetle Cycloneda sanguinea persisted at relatively high abundance off-season. Parasitoid diversity was more limited with only two parasitoid species commonly detected. The parasitoid Aphelinus nigritus accounted for 85% and 57% of parasitoids in- and off-season, respectively. Results from this study will be useful to land managers and decision-makers on how diverse vegetation habitats can play a role in the biological control of M. sorghi.

Technical Abstract: Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of Sorghum bicolor (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of pred-ators and parasitoids have been found to prey on M. sorghi. Natural enemies may reside in veg-etation like sorghum in cultivation (in-season) and persist after harvest (off-season) Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) (L.) and riparian areas consisting of shrubs and grasses including Johnson grass. The objective was to assess these vegetation types to harbor M. sorghi 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 Cycloneda sanguinea (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. Aphelinus nigritus (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), accounted for 85% and 57% of parasitoids in- and off-season, respectively. Aphelinus nigritus abundance was steady across the annual sorghum season in all vegetation types. Results from this study will inform land man-agement strategies on how diverse vegetations can play a role in the biological control of M. sorghi.