Pure Appl. Biol., 9(3): 2014-2024, September, 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90215

Research Article

The composition of Aphidofauna (Hemiptera: Aphidoidae) and their hostplant range in Quetta, Pakistan

Sabina Noor*, Nosheen Rafique, Heera Batool, Masooma Ali, Mehreen Batool and Safia Ali Department of Zoology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women Quetta, 87300, Balochistan-Pakistan *Corresponding author’s email: [email protected] Citation Sabina Noor, Nosheen Rafique, Heera Batool, Masooma Ali, Mehreen Batool and Safia Ali. The composition of Aphidofauna (Hemiptera: Aphidoidae) and their hostplant range in Quetta, Pakistan. Pure and Applied Biology. Vol. 9, Issue 3, pp2014-2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90215 Received: 06/03/2020 Revised: 30/05/2020 Accepted: 05/06/2020 Online First: 15/06/2020 Abstract This study was carried out during May- October 2018 and accounts as the first record of aphid’s biodiversity and their host range in Quetta. A total of 50 various host from Quetta were sampled, which were identified into 19 species. These most commonly included Rosa chinensis, Nerium oleander, Punica granatum, Solanum nigrum, Ficus carica, and . About 9,475 aphid individuals were recorded on the sampled host plants from various sites of Quetta, namely accounted as the suburban, urban, cantonment, agricultural research area, and SBK Women’s University. After collection, the samples were brought into laboratory, individuals were preserved in 70% alcohol, examined under a microscope (LEICA MZ6) with the help of identification keys. A total of 14 genera identified which included, Toxoptera, Aphis, Myzus, Ceruraphis, Elatobium, Amphorophora, Acyrthosiphon, Hayhurstia, Aphis nerii, Brachycaudus, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Anoecia, Dysaphis, and Brevicoryne. Among these Aphis, Myzus, Toxoptera, Aphis nerii, and Acrythosiphon were most abundant, while Aphis, Myzus, and Toxoptera were the most common genus in all sampling sites. Since there is a lack of documentation of such vicious pests on the economically significant hostplants from this native region. This study will imply fruitful impacts on pest control in near future. Keywords: Abundant; Aphids; Biodiversity; Pest; Phytophagous Introduction These species are cosmopolitan pests on Aphids are considered an important group cultivated Fragaria species (strawberries) of phytophagous insects due to their and contemplated as a vector of diverse polymorphism, heteroecious behavior, and plant viruses [8], effecting 164 viral reproductive habits [1]. These insects have diseases by approximately 200 species [9]. a complex life cycle with multiple asexual Under predator attack, these insects and a single sexual generation [2]. Aphids secrete droplets from the back of their are reported as serious pests of crops, abdomen which triggers various fruits, and oilseeds, resulting in dimpling behavioral reactions for alertness [10] and of fruit and carling of or specialist some have the direct defensive function by gall inducers [3-6]. On the other hand, gluing predator mouthparts together [11]. forcing these individuals to have great Host plant variety and natural enemies dispersion and colonize new plants [7]. affect the growth and migration of aphids

Published by Bolan Society for Pure and Applied Biology 2014 Noor et al. to the greatest [12]. Aphid’s population economically significant plants in this flourish well in between 13.7°-30.3°C native region. temperature and 45.3% relative humidity Materials and methods [13]. However, in this temperate region The survey and collection of aphids for this highest population of aphids is observed in study were carried out at different sites of March (7.7 - 25.02 °C temperature) [14]. the Quetta region is shown in the map (Fig. More or less 1,015 aphid species are 1), from May-October, 2018. These sites accounted for in the Indian region [15]. were further categorized into five (5), Around 300 aphid species are reported depending on their demographic level as the from Pakistan [16] out of which eight suburban to site 1, urban to site 2, species from eight genera are recorded in cantonment to site 3, arid zone to site 4, and four districts of Rawalpindi [5]. university campus to site 5. A total of 50 Aphid’s distributional records from samples were collected by cutting the Pakistan contain two families with 10 branch of vegetation with the help of genera and 15 species in different parts of scissors, placed in airtight plastic bags, and Northern areas [17]. Most recent studies then brought into the zoology laboratory of documents the Rosa species infestation in Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University. Azad Jammu Kashmir by 12 aphid species Where individually vegetative infested also includes six new records [18]. Aphids aphid colony was counted and at least ten are the most damaging pest of ornamental adults (alate/apterae) were preserved in 70% plants and vegetable crops. There is no alcohol in test tubes of size (6ml). Each such study attributed to the diversity of sample was supplied with a voucher number aphids with their respective host plant and labeled with the date of collection and range in the Quetta region. The purpose of area, respectively. Aphid samples were this study is to recognize the latest observed under dissecting microscope aphidofauna with its specific host plant (LEICA MZ6) directly. The characteristics range. This study will support to implicate in response to their morphology were policy-making and pest management observed and compared with the keys strategies for these destructive pests on provided by [8, 19-24].

(Map executed utilizing DIVA.GIS; Ver: 7.5) Figure 1. Map of Balochistan, in map Quetta region (enlarged) with multiple collections sites (as shown in legend)

Results collection of total 9,475 individuals A faunistic survey on the presence and described into 14 genera of aphids as abundance of aphids was made in different Aphis, Myzus, Toxoptera, Ceruraphis, areas of Quetta, from May to October Elatobium, Amphorophora, 2018. The surveys resulted in the Acyrthosiphon, Hayhurstia, Aphis nerii,

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Brachycaudus, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, granatum, Solanum nigrum, Zinnia Anoecia, Dysaphis and Brevicoryne. The elegans, Mentha canadensis, Vitis overall percentage abundance of aphids vinifera, Mirabilis jalapa, Pinus during this study is concluded (Fig. 2). The wallichiana, Ficus carica, Rosa laevigata, formerly mentioned aphid genera were Solanum lycopersicum, Capsicum encountered on 19 different host plants annuum, Cestrum nocturnum, Lactuca which particularly included; Rosa sativa, Cucurbita moschata and Poplus chinensis, Nerium oleander, Brassica tomentosa (Table 1). The results of each oleracea, Lagenaria siceraria, Punica site are devised separately.

Percentage (%) Abundance of all the Aphid Genera Collected in Aphis Quetta Aphis nerii Myzus 1% Acyrthosiphon 3% 0% 21% Amphorophora 4% 5% Dysaphis 16% Elatobium Anoecia 6% Toxoptera 4% 0% Macrosiphum 4% Hayhurstia 22% 2% Brevicoryne 12% Brachycauda Ceruraphis Figure 2. Percentage (%) Abundance of all the Aphid Genera Collected in Quetta

Table 1. Aphid genera encountered on particular hostplant in Quetta S# Genera Plant species %age prevalence 1 Aphis Punica granatum and Solanum nigrum 21.4% 2 Aphis nerii Zinnia elegans and Nerium oleander 6.2% Poplus tomentosa, Brassica oleracea and 3 Acyrthosiphon 12.2% Solanum lycopersicum 4 Anoecia Vitis vinifera and Ficus carica 3.8% 5 Amphorophora Rosa chinensis and Rosa laevigata 2.2% 6 Brevicoryne Brassica oleracea 1.4% 7 Brachycauda Mentha canadensis 2.4% 8 Ceruraphis Cestrum nocturnum 5% 9 Dysaphis Populus tomentosa and Lactuca sativa 3.8% 10 Elatobium Pinus wallichiana 6.2% 11 Hayhurstia Capsicum annuum 0.4% 12 Myzus Punica granatum and Mirabilis jalapa 21.4% Macrosiphum 13 Rosa laevigata and Cestrum nocturnum 3.6% euphorbiae Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria 14 Toxoptera 15.8% siceraria

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Diversity of aphids in site 1 Myzus followed by Aphis nerii with the A total of 14 plant samples gathered from least abundant Elatobium (Fig. 4). The various parts of suburban areas, were hostplants from site 1 were recognized as, infested by eight genera of aphids (Table Punica granatum, Nerium oleander, 2). The 2,773 individuals encountered on Solanum nigrum, Vitis vinifera, Mirabilis this vegetation included chiefly of Aphis jalapa, Rosa chinensis, Zinnia elegans, (Fig. 3), Myzus, Macrosiphum Pinus wallichiana, Ficus carica, Rosa euphorbiae, Acyrthosiphon, Aphis nerii, laevigata, Solanum lycopersicum, Toxoptera, Amphorophora, and Cestrum nocturnum, Lactuca sativa, Elatobium. Among these 14 plant samples, Poplus tomentosa. the most abundant genera were Aphis,

Table 2. Complied data of aphidofauna with hostplant collected in various sites of Quetta No. of Plants No. of aphid individuals No. of Aphid genera S# Locality/Sites collected encountered encountered Sub-urban 1. 14 2,773 08 Area 2. Urban Area 14 2,227 08 Quetta 3. 12 2,079 08 Cantonment 4. Arid Zone 08 1,826 05 SBKWU, 5. 03 570 04 Quetta 6. Total 19 hostplants 9,475 individuals 14 Aphid genera

Figure 3. Genus Aphis spotted on Solanum nigrum (black nightshade) from site 1

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Percentage (%) Abundance of Aphid Genera in Site 1 among 14 Host Plants 30% 25% 25% 21% 20% 20%

15% 12% 10% 9% 9% %ageoccurence 7% 5% 2% 0%

Genera Figure 4. Percentage (%) distribution of 2,773 aphids in suburban sites of Quetta

Diversity of aphids in site 2 genera were obtained from host plants The diversity of aphid genera in this site particularly includes Mentha canadensis, contained 2,227 individuals inhabited on Vitis vinifera, Pinus wallichiana, Brassica 14 plant samples (Table 2). The most oleracea, Ficus carica, Lagenaria numerous of which were from genus siceraria, Cucurbita moschata, Nerium Toxoptera (Fig. 5), Aphis following oleander, Rosa chinensis, Punica Myzus. The least encountered genera were granatum, Solanum nigrum, Capsicum Hayhurstia and Macrosiphum euphorbiae annuum, Cestrum nocturnum, and Lactuca with only 2% abundance (Fig. 6). These sativa.

Figure 5. Genus Toxoptera found on Cucurbita moschata (pumpkin) from site 2

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Percentage (%) Abundance of Aphid Genera in Site 2 among 14 Host Plants

35% 30% 30% 24% 25%

20% 18%

15% 12%

%ageoccurence 10% 7% 5% 5% 2% 2% 0%

Genera

Figure 6. Percentage (%) distribution of 2,227 aphids in urban sites of Quetta

Diversity of aphids in site 3 Populus tomentosa, and Mentha At site 3 which includes the cantonment canadensis. These host plants inhabited area of Quetta, a total of 2,079 individuals eight aphid genera among which Aphis, of aphids were gathered from 12 plant Myzus followed by Aphis nerii (Fig. 7) samples (Table 2). These included were most dominant in abundance. While particularly Zinnia elegans, Mirabilis Anoecia, Brachycaudus, Dysaphis, and jalapa, Solanum nigrum, Nerium Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Fig. 8) were oleander, Rosa chinensis, Punica encountered in moderate, except for granatum, Vitis vinifera, Ficus carica, Amphorophora, as it was collected in the Rosa laevigata, Solanum lycopersicum, least quantity (Fig. 9).

Figure 7. Aphis nerii detected on Nerium oleander (oleander) in site 3 and 4

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Figure 8. Macrosiphum euphorbiae species observed on Rosa chinensis (Chinese )

Percentage (%) Abundance of Aphid Genera in Site 3 among 12 Hostplants 25% 23%

20% 18% 16% 14% 15% 12%

10% 7% 7%

%ageoccurence 5% 3%

0%

Genera

Figure 9. Percentage (%) distribution of 2,079 aphids in cantonment sites of Quetta

Diversity of aphids in site 4 the Balochistan Agriculture Research This site collection comprised of 1,826 Center (BARC) comprised of five genera, aphids dwelled on particularly Solanum chiefly of Acyrthosiphon, followed by lycopersicum, Vitis vinifera, Punica Aphis nerii and Myzus. Whereas Anoecia granatum, Nerium oleander, Cestrum following Ceruraphis were comparatively nocturnum, Rosa chinensis, and Mirabilis least in quantity among the five genera jalapa. The aphid diversity derived from (Fig. 10).

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Percentage (%) Abundance of Aphid Genera in Site 4 Among 7 Hosplants 45% 42% 40% 35% 30%

25% 21% 20% 18%

15% 12% %ageoccurence 10% 7% 5% 0% Acyrthosiphon Myzus Aphis nerii Anoecia Ceruraphis Genera

Figure 10. Percentage (%) distribution of 1,826 aphids in Arid zone Research Institute of Quetta

Diversity of aphids in site 5 nocturnum, Punica granatum The last site selected for this study was the (Pomegranate), Rosa chinensis (common university campus (Sardar Bahadur Khan rose) were collected from Sardar Bahadur Women’s). At this site, only three plant Khan Women University encountering samples infested with aphid were aphid genera such as Amphorophora, obtained. These host plants were Cestrum Ceruraphis, Aphis, and Myzus (Fig. 11).

Percentage (%) Abundance of Aphid Genera in Site 5 among 3 Hostplants 35% 32% 30% 28%

25% 22% 20% 15%

10% %age %age occurence 5% 2% 0% Ceruraphis Amphorophora Aphis Myzus

Genera Figure 11. Percentage (%) distribution of 570 aphids in SBKWU of Quetta

Discussion This study describes the composition of Quetta, conducted during April – October aphidofauna and their hostplant range in 2018. A total of 9,475 individuals gathered

2021 Pure Appl. Biol., 9(3): 2014-2024, September, 2020 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90215 were assembled into 14 aphid genera Furthermore, Aphis and Myzus species infesting 19 host plant species, hence were described abundant from Punjab as reports the first documentation from the well [29]. Despite the existence of Quetta division of Balochistan, Pakistan. multiple hostplants; genus Myzus, Aphis, Pertaining to their specific morphological Toxoptera, and Acyrthosiphon were the characters aphids were identified up to most common among all the collection generic level with the help of identification sites in Quetta. However, Lipaphis keys described by [8, 19]. The studied erysimi, Brevicoryne brassicae, and features included length of siphunculi, Macrosiphum euphorbiae were reported legs, caudal shape, and antennal segments. plentiful in Rawalpindi. The most While studies proved that these species common aphid species of Jehlum were were not homogeneous morphological Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium entities and exist in multiple phenotypic dirhodum [5]. forms on various plants [25]. Similar Conclusion studies reports 15 species of aphids This study deliberates the presence of 14 belonging to two families from Northern aphid genera harboring the native plant areas of Pakistan [17]. During the study fauna of the Quetta region. These aphid aphid, individuals were collected genera were encountered on 19 host plants harboring various hostplants. Though in various sites of this native region. The among all the localities of the Quetta most common genera were Aphis, Myzus, region the most common host plants Toxoptera, Acyrthosiphon, and infested by aphids were, Punica granatum, Macrosiphum euphorbiae. Further Rosa chinensis, Nerium oleander, extensive surveys and investigation should Solanum nigrum, Mirabilis jalapa, and be carried out to contemplate the diverse Ficus carica. However, [18] stated wild and rich fauna of this region up to species Rosa species is the most common level. Moreover pest control strategies inhabited hostplant by aphids in Azad should be rehearsed among the common Jammu and Kashmir. Similar findings population for the eradication of such were obtained in the coastal areas of voracious pests. Tunisia as aphid fauna sustains a greater Authors’ contributions number on family Rosacea [26]. This study was suggested and devised by Several studies around the world prove Sabina and Nosheen. The survey, that aphid genera don’t have a species- collection, and identification was done by specific host plant range. Hence, a single Heera Batool, Masooma Ali, Mehreen plant contained more than one aphid Batool, and Safia Ali. The final assemblage genera at a time. This study also analyzed of the manuscript was written, reviewed, the occurrence of the same aphid genera and analyzed by Sabina Noor. on two or more host plants at the same Acknowledgments time. With overlapping hostplants and All the authors are grateful to the most common genera assessed in this authorities of SBK Women’s University investigation included; Aphis, Aphis nerii, for granting the conveyance services to the Acyrthosiphon, Anoecia, Amphorophora, visiting sites. The authors pay their Dysaphis, Myzus, Macrosiphum gratitude to the authorities of the euphorbiae, and Toxoptera. Subsequently, Balochistan Agricultural Research Center in Germany, [27] showed that the for sufficient help and guidance in this abundance of these ubiquitous pests is study. influenced by fluctuations in plant species References richness. Our findings were persistent with 1. Ghosh LK & Singh R (2000). [28], to suggest Macrosiphum euphorbiae Biodiversity of Indian insects with the most abundant rose infesting aphid. special reference to aphids

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