Monday, December 10, 2007
D0069

Phoretic association of Binodoxys communis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Anthony S. Loden, loden006@umn.edu and George E. Heimpel, heimp001@tc.umn.edu. University of Minnesota, Department of Entomology, 219 Hodson Hall, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN

The aphidiine braconid Binodoxys communis is currently in its first year of release as a classical biological control agent against the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura. Like most aphid species, the soybean aphid produces both winged (alate) and wingless stages. Adult alates typically leave the natal plant to colonize new plants, fields and habitats throughout the growing season (summer migrants) and early fall (gynoparae). This study examines the phoretic association between B. communis and the soybean aphid to determine: 1) the parasitism rate of alate and alatoid nymph in the field and 2) whether or not parasitized alates have the capability to transport B. communis eggs and young larvae away from the natal plant. Thirty B. communis females and 20 males were released into 15cm diameter x 100cm tall field cages capped with an inverse funnel leading to a removable collection cup. Alates were collected daily over the course of 10 days and placed on individually caged, non-infested soybean plants. After 10 days, these plants were examined for the presence of mummies as an indicator for the phoretic movement of B. communis within soybean aphid alates. In addition, aphid and mummy counts were conducted on the original field cage plants after 10 days to determine overall alate and alatoid nymph parasitism rates. The results of this study reveal the potential dispersal capability of B. communis in the field and will aid in the development of future region-wide release strategies.


Species 1: Hemiptera Aphididae Aphis glycines (soybean aphid)
Species 2: Hymenoptera Braconidae Binodoxys communis