Ecology of Aphidophaga 13

EA Ecology of Aphidophaga Freising 2016

ECOLOGY OF APHIDOPHAGA 13

29|08 - 01|09|2016

CONFERENCE GUIDE

Ecology of Aphidophaga

Supported by

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC)

Hans-Eisenmann-Zentrum

Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie

Technische Universität München

EA Ecology of Aphidophaga APHIDOPHAGA 13 Freising 2016 29|08 - 01|09|2016

WELCOME NOTE

Dear colleagues,

We warmly welcome you to the 13th Symposium “Ecology of Aphidophaga”. This is the first time that the symposium takes place in Germany, and we are very grateful to the participants of Aphidophaga 12, the Scientific Committee of Aphidophaga and the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC Global), for selecting the Technical University of Munich (TUM) as a host institution. We are honoured by the nomination and hope that you will enjoy the conference. The international Aphidophaga symposium aims to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of research on the biology, ecology and behaviour of organisms contributing to mortality of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We will have about 100 participants from all over the world, which shows that biological aphid control is still an important topic, yet it also shows that we need to constantly remind those responsible in agriculture or horticulture that natural enemies can contribute greatly to the control of aphids. In fact, at least in Central Europe, the potential of employing natural enemies in the control of aphids is far from being fully exploited. Maybe it is time that at our symposium we discuss and issue a statement calling for a stronger role of natural enemies in aphid control. The range of topics covered by our symposium is again broad, including contributions to the taxonomy, basic biology and behaviour of predators and parasitoids, work on new challenges and control methods of aphids, important reports on long-term developments in natural enemy communities, and studies on the effectiveness of aphid natural enemies, to name just a few. In the special session on invasive Aphidophaga, the case of Harmonia axyridis is used to more generally address the challenges involved in introducing aphid natural enemies to new areas. The special session on chemical ecology will bring together a number of contributions illustrating the recent advances in understanding the role of volatile and non-volatile chemicals for structuring aphid - natural enemy communities. In addition to the oral and poster sessions, there will be ample time for discussion during our social events, e.g. at the Welcome Dinner, the conference banquet, or during the excursion to Munich. We sincerely hope that you will find “Ecology of Aphidophaga 13” both scientifically fruitful and enjoyable.

In the name of the organizing committee, Wolfgang W. Weisser & Sharon Zytynska

Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt Technische Universität München Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie

EA Ecology of Aphidophaga APHIDOPHAGA 13 Freising 2016 29|08 - 01|09|2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt Technische Universität München Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie

EA Ecology of Aphidophaga APHIDOPHAGA 13 Freising 2016 29|08 - 01|09|2016

01 | PROGRAM

MONDAY 29|08|2016 SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA | CHAIR: ANNETTE HERZ

13|00 - 13|15 Opening 13|30 - 14|15 Plenary 1: Helen Roy , NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Harmonia axyridis: inspiring collaboration around the world 14|15 - 14|35 John Sloggett, Maastricht University Harmonia axyridis: smelling the rat in native ladybird declines 14|35 - 14|55 Paul A. Lenhart, University of Kentucky Effects of an aphid’s toxic defensive phenotype ripple through the natural enemy community 14|55 - 15|15 Oldřich Nedvěd, University of South Bohemia Thirty years of monitoring ladybirds in Czechia: succession, seasonality, host plants, sampling methods 15|15 - 15|45 Coffee Break 15|45 - 16|30 Plenary 2: Josep A. Jacques, Universitat Jaume I How could we improve safety of aphid biological control? 16|30 - 19|00 Poster Session+Beer+Films by Urs Wyss 20|00 Dinner in Bräustüberl

TUESDAY 30|08|2016 SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY | CHAIR: SHARON ZYTYNSKA

08|15 - 09|00 Plenary 3: François J. Verheggen, Université de Liège Microorganisms and semiochemicals to manipulate aphidophagous predators 09|00 - 09|20 Helmut van Emden, University of Reading Aphid parasitoids (and coccinellids?) protect their offspring against plant toxins 09|20 - 09|40 Antoine Boullis, Gembloux Agro-bio Tech - University of Liège

Climate change: atmospheric CO2 concentration affect aphid alarm signalling 09|40 - 10|00 Wolfgang W. Weisser, TU München Aphid-predator interactions unravelled using the zNose technology 10|00 - 10|30 Coffee Break

Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt Technische Universität München Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie EA Ecology of Aphidophaga APHIDOPHAGA 13 Freising 2016 29|08 - 01|09|2016

01 | PROGRAM

TUESDAY 30|08|2016 SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY | CHAIR: FRANÇOIS VERHEGGEN

10|30 - 11|15 Plenary 4: Toby JA Bruce, Rothamsted Research The impact of volatile signals on the behaviour of aphids and their parasitoids 11|15 - 11|35 Sharon Zytynska, TU München Plant chemotype mediates aphid-ant-natural enemy interactions in a metacommunity system 11|35 - 11|55 Eduardo de la Peña, Institute for Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture Glandular trichomes in tomato: implications in the biological control of aphids using parasitoids 11|55 - 12|15 Kerstin Krüger, University of Pretoria Climate change: effect of heat and water-deprived plants on the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, and its parasitoid Aphidius ervi 12|15 - 13|45 Lunch

SESSION: PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL | CHAIR: ŽELJKO TOMANOVIĆ

13|45 - 14|30 Plenary 5: George Heimpel, University of Minnesota Causes and consequences of fecundity stimulation in aphids as a response to parasitism 14|30 - 14|50 Hugh David Loxdale, Cardiff University The Generalism debate: do generalists actually exist in nature? 14|50 - 15|10 Kristopher Giles, Oklahoma State University Landscape level dynamics of the cereal aphid parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes in the US Southern Plains 15|10 - 15|30 Vladimir Žikić, University of Niš New aspects of host range patterning of Aphidiinae parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) 15|30 - 15|50 Sana Zouari, University of Sousse Survey of natural enemies and effectiveness of Aphidius transcaspicus Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on the population dynamics of the mealy aphid Hyalopterus amygdali Blanchard (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in a Tunisian organic almond orchard 15|50 - 16|20 Coffee Break

16|20 - 16|40 Le Thu Ha Nguyen, INRA Study of the preference-performance relationship in generalist parasitoids 16|40 - 17|00 Stefan Vidal, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen Genes matter as well: Parasitoid species or entomopathogenic fungal strains differently interact with bacterial secondary symbionts of Sitobion avenae clones 17|00 - 17|20 Michelangelo La-Spina, Vineland Research & Innovation Centre Short-term increases in aphid dispersal due to defensive dropping behaviour do not necessarily affect long-term biological control by a parasitic wasp 17|20 - 17|40 William Jessie, Oklahoma State University Interactions between Diaeretiella rapae and Lysiphlebus testaceipes in winter canola 17|40 - 18|00 Arash Rasekh, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, College of Agriculture Varying effects of superparasitism on biological traits between the sexual and asexual strains of an aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Hym.: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) 19|15 - 19|30 Bus (campus/downtown) 20|00 Conference Dinner

WEDNESDAY 31|08|2016

08|00 - 18|00 Excursion to Munich

THURSDAY 01|09|2016 SESSION: PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL | CHAIR: ALOIS HONEKě

08|15 - 09|00 Plenary 6: Andreas Vilcinskas, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen Immunity and pathogens contribute to the invasive success of the aphidophagous ladybird Harmonia axyridis 09|00 - 09|20 J.P. Michaud, Kansas State University Conspecific and heterospecific competitors exert non-consumptive effects on developing aphid predators 09|20 - 09|40 Florian Weihrauch, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture The arthropod fauna of hop cones, with specific consideration of the Neuroptera 09|40 - 10|00 Sanaa Abed, Swansea University Natural enemy composition rather than richness determines pest density and plant biomass 10|00 - 10|20 Casi Jessie, Oklahoma State University Spatial and temporal dynamics of natural enemies in winter canola-wheat agroecosystems

10|20 - 10|50 Coffee Break 11

01 | PROGRAM

THURSDAY 01|09|2016 SESSION: PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL |CHAIR: J.P. MICHAUD

10|50 - 11|10 Jeroen van Schelt, Koppert New insights in the mating behaviour and practical application of the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza 11|10 - 11|30 Gerben Messelink, Wageningen UR Mirid predatory bugs for aphid control in sweet pepper greenhouse crops: is the problem solved? 11|30 - 11|50 Annette Herz, Julius Kühn-Institut, Darmstadt The myrmecophilous ladybird Platynaspis luteorubra Goeze - a promising option for Biological Control? 11|50 - 12|10 Milan Plećaš, University of Belgrade, University of Minnesota Effects of biofuel plantings on natural enemies and biological control of soybean aphid 12|10 - 13|20 Lunch 13|20 - 14|05 Plenary 7: Christoph Vorburger, EAWAG & ETH Zurich Symbionts mediate coevolution between aphids and parasitoids 14|05 - 14|25 Sonja Pfister, University Koblenz-Landau Aphids and aphidophaga in pumpkin fields respond differently to management, local and landscape features 14|25 - 14|45 Abid Ali, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Aphids, potential threat to stagnant wheat yield in Pakistan: a case study for the population dynamics of natural enemies attacking wheat aphids in major agro-ecological zones of Pakistan 14|45 - 15|00 Closing

02 | LIST OF POSTERS

INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA

Lukáš Fiedler Fifty shades of the Harlequin ladybird and a sexually transmitted disease University of South Bohemia

Xavier Pons Current status of the invader Harmonia axyridis in the Iberian Peninsula Universitat de Lleida

Alois Honĕk Correlation of long-term changes in abundance of coccinellid species in Crop Research Institute communities of host plants with contrast abundance of Harmonia axyridis

Jiri Skuhrovec Role of plant stature in determining habitat preferences of coccinellid Crop Research Institute species

Roman Bucher Why do some non-native lady beetles become invasive while others remain Philipps-Universität Marburg benign?

Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes Populational fluctuation of Diaphorina citri and Coccinellidae in citrus Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios orchard in the Northeastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes Predation of Schizaphim graminum by Coccinellidae: who consumes more, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios Cycloneda sanguinea, Harmonia axyridis or Hippodamia convergens?

Ilia Zakharov-Gezekhus Alien Coccinellidae species in Russia and neighbouring countries Vavilov Institute of General Genetics

Gabriele Rondoni Olfactory cues are more effective towards the most competitive among two University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy ovipositing ladybird beetles

CHEMICAL ECOLOGY

Donatella Battaglia Identification and characterization of OBPs by a transcriptomic approach University of Basilicata and structural analysis of olfactory receptors in Aphidius ervi

Liza Nemes Te tradecyl acetate: A new non-terpenoid compound of aphid cornicle Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz secretions and its potential role

02 | LIST OF POSTERS

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY

Nikos Papanikolaou On the estimation of predators’ handling time using the steady-state Benaki Phytopathological Institute satiation equation: an application to aphidophagous coccinellids

Ted Cottrell Factors affecting capture of Coccinellidae in traps USDA-ARS

Eric Lucas Effect of alternative prey or plant resources on cannibalism by Prey- and Université du Québec à Montréal Pollen-specialized isogroup lines of the zoophytophagous mullein bug Campylomma verbasci (Hemiptera: Miridae). Donatella Battaglia Intraguild predation between the generalist predator Macrolophus University of Basilicata pygmaeus and the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi

John J. Sloggett Older male ladybirds: sexually desperate or just worn out? Maastricht University

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL

Annette Herz EcoOrchard: an EU-wide collaborative project to boost functional Julius Kühn-Institut, Darmstadt biodiversity of organic orchards

Ammar Alhmedi Potential role of fruit intercrops for parasitoid assisted integrated apple pcfruit aphid management

Maryna Kaliuzhna Newly observed morphological characters of head and mesosoma of aphid I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of National parasitoids (Braconidae, Aphidiinae) Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Andjeljko Petrović High population genetic diversity within the potential biocontrol agent University of Belgrade Ephedrus persicae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

Marijana Ilić Milošević Potential limiting factors in the distributional pattern of Ephedrus plagiator University of Niš (Nees 1811) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

Saša Stanković The influence of Lysiphlebus testaceipes an introduced species on the University of Niš autochthonous Aphidiinae parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Balkans Željko Tomanović Phylogenetic relationships of Lysiphlebus Foerster (Hymenoptera: University of Belgrade Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on the basis of molecular data

Helmut van Emden Indirect (“non-consumptive mortality”) of aphids resulting from parasitoids, University of Reading and its magnification by partial plant resistance.

02 | LIST OF POSTERS

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL

Kelley Tilmon Density-dependent response of natural enemies to soybean aphid Ohio State University

Xavier Pons Oenopia conglobata as a candidate for biological control in urban green Universitat de Lleida areas: prey acceptance and preferences

Monia Kamel Ben Halima Aphids and their natural enemies on ornamental plants in the coastal area University of Sousse of Tunisia

George Broufas Life-history traits and predation of Chrysopa sp. lacewings on aphids and Democritus University of Thrace mealybugs

Olivier Aubry Management chart of Campylomma verbasci (Hemiptera: Miridae) in apple Université du Québec à Montréal orchards of eastern Canada

George Broufas Interspecific variation in the performance of five cryptic species of the Democritus University of Thrace European Chrysoperla carnea group on different diets

Eric Lucas Evaluation of two new potential biological control agents against the Université du Québec à Montréal foxglove aphid at low temperatures in Canadian greenhouses.

Rahim Abdolahi Mesbah Rearing of Hippodamia variegata in laboratory changed its shape and size: University of Tehran a geometric morphometric study

Eric Lucas Direct and indirect effects of the spatial context on the natural control of an Université du Québec à Montréal invasive aphid.

Milan Plećaš Floral resources of bioenergy crops and pollen consumption by natural University of Belgrade, University of Minnesota enemies of soybean aphid

Ahmad Pervez Dietary effects on the reproduction and demography of an aphidophagous Radhey Hari Govt. P.G. College, Kashipur ladybird, Hippodamia variegata

Antoine Boullis Wheat-pea intercropping for aphid control: from laboratory tritrophic Gembloux Agro-bio Tech - University of Liège approach to field application

Gabriele Rondoni Detecting and evaluating predation upon aphids and coccinellids in University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy laboratory and field conditions

Marisa Skaljac Effect of scorpion antimicrobial peptides on bacterial symbionts of aphids Fraunhofer IME, Giessen, Germany

03 | VENUE

The conference will be hosted by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of Europe’s top universities (www.tum.de). It is committed to excellence in research and teaching, interdisciplinary education and the active promotion of promising young scientists. The university also forges strong links with companies and scientific institutions across the world. TUM was one of the first universities in Germany to be named a University of Excellence. Moreover, TUM regularly ranks among the best European universities in international rankings.

The symposium takes place at the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan in Freising where research focusses on the exploration of the entire life cycle of foodstuffs and raw materials. Weihenstephan is a quarter of the city of Freising, about 40km north of Munich. It is very close to Munich Airport and participants can easily reach the venue in about 20min by taxi or 40min by bus. Freising also hosts the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan- Triesdorf with its famous Weihenstephan Gardens as well as a number of other research institutes such as the Bavarian State Institute of Agriculture (LfL) and the Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF).

Attractions of Freising other than TUM include the Weihenstephan brewery, the oldest brewery of the world, and Freising cathedral, where the former pope Benedikt XVI. was bishop.

03 | VENUE

What to do in Freising in addition to the conference?

walk on top the Weihenstephan hill from the conference venue downtown (ca. 2.5km) and visit the gardens (Rose garden, Oberdieck Garden) of the University of Applied Sciences.

visit the famous “Trial garden Weihenstephan“ close to the conference venue (Am Staudengarten 7), which was established in 1947 and covers an area of more than five hectares (https://www.hswt.de/en/weihenstephan-gardens/sichtungsgarten.html).

stroll through the old town in the small streets around the “Untere Hauptstraße“ and “Obere Hauptstraße“

visit the cathedral at the top of the „Domberg“ hill (Dom St. Maria und St. Korbinian). Construction of the current romanesque building started in 1159, but earlier churches at the place date back to 715. The romanesque wooden ceiling was replaced by a gothic vault in the late 17th century.

leave Freising to visit Munich with its many attractions…

04 | TRAVEL

The conference takes place at the Weihenstephan campus of the Technical University of Munich. The venue of the conference is the forestry building, in the North West of the campus (building 4277 in the Campus plan). It is connected by a bridge to the Bavarian State Institute for Forestry (LWF).

ARRIVAL BY PLANE Munich airport is only about 5km from Freising, so travelling to the city and the conference venue is cheap and fast. Some of the hotels offer a shuttle service (pre-booking required), but taking the normal bus to the city center takes only 20min, and only costs Euro 2.70. The bus arrives in Freising train station and the ticket can be used for further bus travel in Freising.

In our website (www.aphidophaga.de) we provide links to a map of the bus stations in the airport. Please use the website of Munich Transport (http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/ homepage/index.html) for transport information.

04 | TRAVEL

ARRIVAL BY CAR The official address of the venue is Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising (e.g. in Google). However, in older navigation systems the old street name “Am Hochanger 13” is still implemented.

If you have found the campus, we have put up signs to guide you to the parking space and from there to the conference location.

From the South, Southeast or Southwest, drive to the North of Munich. In Munich take the motorway A9 in the direction of Nürnberg. At the crossing Neufahrn take the motorway A92 in the direction of the Munich Airport. Take exit Freising Süd, take the street B11 (now S2350) in the direction Freising. At the train station turn left in the direction of Allershausen. At the second traffic light turn left into the Vöttingerstraße. After ca. 2km you will come to a pedestrian crossing and notice the campus to the left and the right of the street. Behind the pedestrian crossing turn right into Hohenbachern Straße (there will be a round building of a library on your right). After ca. 300 m you will see two parking grounds to the right. Take the parking furthest along the street, before the road bends right. Walk towards the building along the road connecting the two parking grounds to the buildings in the North. The Forestry building is behind the building facing the parking grounds: it is the last building to your left that you meet before it goes downhill again (notice the bridge between the buildings).

From the North, use the A9, from the West use the A8/A99/A92 and from the East the A92 (from Passau).

ARRIVAL BY TRAIN From Munich central station take either a train (RE or ALEX, 25 minutes) or the S-Bahn (sub- urban train, S1, 40 minutes) to Freising station. Please use the website of Munich Transport (http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/homepage/index.html) for transport information. Alterna- tively, use the railway website (www.bahn.de). Both websites cover all types of trains.

04 | TRAVEL

TRAVEL WITHIN FREISING The central bus stop is next to the train station (turn right when you leave the train station). Take one of the following two lines: 638 or 639, whichever comes first. They always go in the same direction, so no need to check the final destination written at the bus, just the number. If you take bus 638, get off at the bus stop “Weihenstephan”. Just follow the signs to the conference (10 minutes walk). The sign will lead you left towards the round building (Library) where you need to turn right. Turn left again at the next square close to the university restaurant (Mensa) where we will have our lunches. Follow the path without turning into any side road until your reach the Forestry Center (notice the bridge between the buildings) where the conference takes place. If you take bus 639, get off at the bus stop Forest Centre (Forstzentrum), which is next to the parking space. Follow the signs to the conference (2 minutes walk), i.e. first walk toward the parking space and then turn left on the road connecting the parking grounds to the campus. The Forestry building is behind the building facing the parking grounds: it is the last building to the left that you meet before it goes downhill again (notice the bridge between the buildings). For travel during the conference you will be provided with bus tickets at the registration desk upon request. Please hand any tickets not used back to the registration office.

TAXI Here are a few numbers for taxi companies in Freising: Taxi Zentrale Freising 0049 8161 3666 Taxi Gitti 0049 8161 149 000

05 | REGISTRATION

Please use www.aphidophaga.de for conference registration. If you do not manage to register beforehand, there is also the possibility for on-site registration in the registration office. However, cash payment only will be possible. Credit card payments require the registration and payment in the online system, and proof of payment will not be available immediately. Thus, if you intend to register late but would like to pay by credit card, please consider registering and paying some time before the conference using the online system. Registration costs are €490 for regular participants, €350 Student (with proof and support letter), and €220 for accompanying people.

The registration fee for participants and students include the admission to scientific sessions, conference material (program, abstract book, conference bag, etc), conference mug, the welcome dinner and conference banquet, Lunch (Mo, Tu, Th), coffee breaks (Mo, Tu, Th) and the conference excursion (We). Registration fees for accompanying person include the welcome dinner, conference mug, conference banquet, conference excursion and reduced conference material.

06 | CONFERENCE INFORMATION

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE Dial 112 to reach the police/fire department/ambulance. The registration desk has the telephone number 0049 8161 71 3495.

REGISTRATION OFFICE AND INFORMATION The registration office (Tel: 0049 8161 71 3495) is open: • Monday: 10.00-17.00 • Tuesday: 7.30-18.00 • Wednesday: closed • Thursday: 7.30-16.00

With the registration you will obtain a questionnaire where we ask for information on where you would like to enter the bus (university or city) to the conference banquet on Tuesday evening and the excursion on Wednesday. We also ask for information about dining preferences (e.g. vegetarian). Please hand in the questionnaire as soon as possible, the latest before the poster session.

The registration office also hosts the IT help desk where you should load your presentation for talks, and where you can preview the presentation.

The staff at the registration office will try to help with any enquiry concerning the conference, taxi bookings, and information on Freising etc. There will be additional helpers whom you can recognize by their Aphidophaga T-shirts.

CONFERENCE BADGE Upon registration you are provided with a conference badge. Please wear your conference badge at all times. All staff are advised to only allow access to registered participants.

WIFI Eduroam (www.eduroam.org) can be used throughout the university. Please check with your home institution how to set up to use the eduroam network at another place. We will also provide an alternative wifi network, please visit the registration desk to obtain a password.

06 | CONFERENCE INFORMATION

CLOAKROOM A supervised cloakroom is available in the lecture hall next to the lecture hall where the presentations are given, open during conference hours.

COFFEE BREAKS Coffee breaks are held in front of the lecture halls near the posters. Staff have been asked to check if you hold a conference badge before providing coffee and sweets.

LUNCH BREAKS Tuesday and Thursday lunch can be obtained in the University Restaurant: “Mensa“. Look for the signs outside the building or just follow the crowd. Every participant receives a ticket that entitles them to a meal consisting of one main dish and three side dishes and one soft drink (available at cashier). We pay refund for all bottles not returned to the restaurant (€0,25!). Please return your bottle to the cashier in the Mensa or deposit it in the basket provided at the lecture hall. The lunch on Wednesday in Munich is not included in the registration fee. We will visit a Munich beer garden, the “Hirschgarten“ (www.hirschgarten.com) where you are free to choose your own lunch and beer.

DINNER On Monday, we will have the Welcome Dinner at the “Bräustüberl” of the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery of the world, dating back to the year 1040. The dinner starts at 20.00. After the poster session (with beer from the Department of Brewing and Beverage Technology at TUM) we will walk up Weihenstephan hill for ca. 20 minutes. If you have problems walking this distance please contact the registration desk so that we can provide a shuttle. For more information, see “Social Events”. On Tuesday, there is the conference banquet. Buses leave from the conference site at 19.15 and the city centre at 19.30. A conference helper will be present at the bus stop before the departure time. For more information, see “Social Events”. On Wednesday evening, there is no organized program and participants may stay in Munich after the excursion, or visit one of the restaurants in Freising (Dinner not included in registration fee).

TOILETS Toilets are located behind the lecture halls, see the signposts. 23

07 | PRESENTER INFORMATION

Talks should not exceed 15 minutes to leave room for 5 min discussion. Session chairs will be asked to be strict with time. Please bring your presentation either as a PowerPoint file (compatible with Windows, Microsoft Office 2013) or as a pdf-file, on a USB-stick (preferred) or a CD. Please hand your presentation to the computer operator in the registration office THE LATEST the day before your talk (morning sessions) or in the morning (afternoon sessions). If you talk on Monday afternoon, please make sure that your presentation is handed in before 12.30. The computer operator will bring all presentation of a session from the registration office to the lecture theatre himself. Overhead and slide presentations will not be possible.

Posters should be in the format A0 Portrait (Width: 84.1cm x Length 118.9 cm). Posters will be pinned to the poster boards (pins are provided). Please hang your poster before the beginning of the conference, i.e. before Monday 13.00. The poster session is on the first day at 16.30, but posters will hang throughout the conference. Coffee breaks are right next to the poster boards so that there will be ample time for discussions at the posters.

06 | SOCIAL EVENTS

We have organized a number of social events to facilitate discussion among participants in a relaxing atmosphere. MONDAY: during the poster session, the world-famous Department of Brewing and Beverage Technology at TUM, under the auspices of Prof. Thomas Becker, will provide two varieties of beer for participants. Towards the end of the poster session, Urs Wyss will show some of his famous films on aphid behaviour and aphid natural enemies: Aphid horror in the maize field, Chrysoperla carnea: a monster turns into a lady, Aphid parasitoids. Each film lasts 15 minutes. After the poster session we will walk up the hill to have dinner at the „Bräustüberl“ of the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery of the world, dating back to the year 1040. Meals (but not drinks) are included in the registration package. Starters provided on the table include vegetarian and meat options, and for the main course there is the choice of either a meat dish (roast pork) or a vegetarian dish (Cannelloni). TUESDAY: in the evening at 20.00, the conference banquet will take place in MAIER’S Hofstubn in Haag an der Amper, about 15km from Freising. After a Champagne reception, there will be a choice of meat and vegetarian dishes, and a dessert buffet. The bus will leave at 19.15 from the conference site and at 19.30 from the city centre (“Kriegerdenkmal“). A conference helper will be present at the bus stop before the departure time. There will be buses going back to Freising at three times between 23.00 and 01.00. With the registration you will obtain a questionnaire where we ask for information on where you would like to enter the bus, whether you prefer the meat or vegetarian options, and how long you are likely to stay. Please hand in the questionnaire on Monday afternoon. WEDNESDAY: this is the day of excursion to Munich. The bus will leave at 8.15 from the conference site and at 8.30 from the city centre (“Kriegerdenkmal”). With the registration you will obtain a questionnaire where we ask for information on where you would like to enter the bus. Please hand in the questionnaire on Monday afternoon. A conference helper will be present at the bus stop before the departure time. From 10-12 we will have a Munich guide on the bus to show us around the main attractions in the city centre. We will then visit a Munich beer garden, the “Hirschgarten“ (www. hirschgarten.com) where you are free to choose your own lunch and beer (not included in the registration fee). In the afternoon, there is the option to visit The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (www.zsm.de/e/). There is space for 50 people, please indicate your interest in the questionnaire. There is also the possibility to visit Munich city centre or the Botanical gardens (http://www.botmuc.de/en/). The bus goes back to Freising at 17.30. The meeting points are announced in the morning. Participants are free to spend their evening in Munich and take the train back to Freising later. Please indicate this to Wolfgang Weisser or Sharon Zytynska on Wednesday. 25

09 | ABSTRACTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

REARING OF HIPPODAMIA VARIEGATA IN LABORATORY CHANGED ITS SHAPE AND SIZE: A GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRIC STUDY

Rahim Abdolahi Mesbah; Jamasb Nozari; Oldřich Nedvěd; Saeid Ebrahimi University of Tehran, Iran

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Changing shape and size of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze, 1777) (Col.: Coccinellidae), as one of the most important biocontrol species that is reared in laboratories of many countries, could affect its biology and subsequently results of scientific studies and also biological control. In this regard, a geometric morphometric study was carried out based on 9 landmarks and 14 morphometric variables on the hind right wing among four Iranian populations, for both males and females: LFH: laboratory females of Hamadan, FFH: farm females of Hamadan, LMH: laboratory males of Hamadan, FMH: farm males of Hamadan, LFK: laboratory females of Karaj, FFK: farm females of Karaj, LMK: laboratory males of Karaj, FMK: farm males of Karaj.

PCO and three-way MANOVA based on shape variables demonstrated sexual dimorphism and shape difference between farm and laboratory populations. PCA detached all populations to four groups including FMK-LMH, FFK-LMK-LFH-LFK, FMH and FFH. Three- way MANOVA based on morphometric variables showed existence of a significant difference in geographical populations, between laboratory and field populations, and combined effect of lab-geographical populations. Three-way ANOVA based on all morphometric variables and centroid size of landmarks and Tukey test indicated FFH and FMK were larger than the others. Our results indicated that rearing in laboratory affected the shape of the Hippodamia wing and made it smaller. This must be considered in biological control and scientific studies.

09 | ABSTRACTS

NATURAL ENEMY COMPOSITION RATHER THAN RICHNESS DETERMINES PEST DENSITY AND PLANT BIOMASS

Sanaa Abed; John Griffin; Mike Fowler, Swansea University, U.K.

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Natural enemy (NE) biodiversity is thought to play an important role in agricultural pest suppression. However, the relative importance of the number of NE species (diversity per se), versus the particular combinations of species (species composition), in determining aphid suppression and ultimately crop yields remains poorly understood. We tested the effects of NE diversity and composition on pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum and broad bean plants Vicia faba. The NEs we used were the larvae of two predator species, the ladybird Adalia bipunctata and the green lacewing Chrysopa carnea, and the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi. We found NEs generally reduced aphid density and indirectly increased the biomass of plants. Among NE treatments, the richness of species did not affect aphid density or plant biomass, but the composition of NEs within richness levels affected both responses. The best-performing treatments in control of aphids were the single species ladybird treatment, the ladybird and parasitoid treatment, and the three species treatment. Planned contrasts showed that the ladybird was a key species irrespective of the presence of other species. In conclusion, increasing NE diversity did not consistently affect aphid density or plant biomass. Rather, species composition in general, and the presence of a key species (the ladybird) in particular, were more important factors in the biological control of aphids and their impacts on plant biomass.

09 | ABSTRACTS

POTENTIAL ROLE OF FRUIT INTERCROPS FOR PARASITOID ASSISTED INTEGRATED APPLE APHID MANAGEMENT

Ammar Alhmedi; Stijn Raymaekers; Tim Beliën; Dany Bylemans, Pcfruit, Sint-Truiden, Belgium

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Apple aphids, especially Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini, are among the most abundant and destructive insect pests of apple tree crops in Belgium, but also in all temperate regions. Their feeding can directly and indirectly damage the crop and decrease the yield quality and quantity. Managing these pests by conventional farming and monocropping systems have often caused a series of environmental problems. Hence, alternative habitat management as intercropping system might be a promising strategy to enhance the biological control of aphid pests via the increasing of beneficial population density. For this purpose, we started this process by monitoring the seasonal activity of aphids and their natural enemies during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons in several fruit tree habitats including apple orchards. This study was carried out in the eastern part of Belgium, Limburg province, using visual observation and hebdomadal sampling techniques. Both cherry and plum trees were found to be potentially promising intercrops to control apple aphids, as they were hosting aphids that hardly ever caused economic damage on apple trees. In addition to common predatory insects like ladybirds and hoverflies, the most abundant parasitoid of both D. plantaginea and Aphis pomi De Geer was Ephedrus persicae Froggatt. This beneficial was early present in high density on the black cherry aphid Myzus cerasi, 2-3 weeks before its occurring on apple aphid pests. High numbers of Binodoxys angelicae Haliday, another efficient parasitoid against A. pomi and D. plantaginea, were early detected on Aphis fabae Scopoli infesting plum trees. Managing cherry or plum trees or both, in apple orchard could be helpful in establishing, supporting and maintaining a population of one or more biological and natural control agents of apple aphids. The potential benefits of some fruit tree crops for the intercropping system to control apple aphids are discussed.

09 | ABSTRACTS

APHIDS, POTENTIAL THREAT TO STAGNANT WHEAT YIELD IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY FOR THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF NATURAL ENEMIES ATTACKING WHEAT APHIDS IN MAJOR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF PAKISTAN

Muhammad Faheem, CABI Central and West Asia, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Shafqat Saeed, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan Abid Ali, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Asif Sajjad, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan Muhammad Jalal Arif, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Junhe Liu, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, China.

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Introduction: Wheat, being the first staple food, is occupying largest agricultural land (9.180 Mha) and contributing 2.1% to GDP in Pakistan. Among many insect pests, wheat aphids are considered to cause yield loses and/or stagnant yield in wheat. Due to side effects of insecticides on non-target organisms, wheat is not recommended with any use of insecticides. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the species composition of wheat aphids and their natural enemies for optimizing IPM packages in major wheat growing areas of Punjab province of Pakistan. Methods: Open wheat field surveys on commonly grown wheat variety ‘Sahar’ was conducted during 2010 and 2011 in four different agro-ecological zones (arid, rice, central mixed and cotton zone) Punjab province of Pakistan. Two experimental plots (each of 2 ha) for each zone were selected with 10 km buffer. Results: Among aphids, Schizaphis graminum was more abundant in arid zone (2011), Rhopalosiphum padi in cotton zone (2010), R. maidis in cotton zone (2011), Sitobion avenae in arid zone (2011), and winged aphids in arid zone (2011). Overall, highest population abundance of all aphid species was recorded in arid and rice zone during 2010 and 2011 respectively. None of aphids were recorded in 4th week of April and 1st week of May in cotton other zones, respectively. Among natural enemies, coccinellids (Coccinella septumpunctata, C. undecimpunctata, Menochilus sexmaculata), chrysopids (Crysoperla carnea), Syrphids and aphid parasitoids were the most abundant natural enemies. Conclusions: Moreover, further studies will aim at assessing side effects of botanicals on the key natural enemies to enable incorporating biocontrol services provided by these natural enemies in an improved integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for wheat. Overall, findings will lead to forecasting and better management strategies in wheat growing regions to enhance the stagnant yield in Pakistan.

09 | ABSTRACTS

MANAGEMENT CHART OF CAMPYLOMMA VERBASCI (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE) IN APPLE ORCHARDS OF EASTERN CANADA

Olivier Aubry, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada Daniel Cormier, Institut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement, Canada Gerald Chouinard, Institut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement, Canada Eric Lucas, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The mullein bug, Campylomma verbasci (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a palearctic zoophytophagous insect common in apple orchards of North America. As a pest, newly emerged nymphs damage apples by puncturing the flowers and fruitlets, inducing a physiological reaction in sensitive cultivars causing pimple-like scars, which downgrade the apples. As a predator, C. verbasci has been reported to prey on a wide variety of arthropods, including two major pests: the green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae). The aim of the study was to develop a management chart based on 1) apple cultivar, 2) apple phenology, 3) mullein bug nymphal instar, 4) mullein bug abundance, 5) extraguild prey (aphids and mites) abundance, and 6) presence of intraguild predators (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). These parameters have been evaluated in laboratory (feeding punctures) and in field tests (fruit damage) to develop a management threshold of the mullein bug in southern Quebec (Canada). Following our results, 1) apple cultivars can be classified as low or high sensitive, 2) fruits are more sensitive when less than 10 mm in size, 3) the presence of mullein bug nymphs is important regardless of the instar, 4) the abundance of mullein bug nymphs can be classified as low, medium or high (economic thresholds), 5) the abundance of prey can be classified as low or high relative to bug abundance and 6) the abundance of predators can be classified as low or high relative to bug abundance. This decision chart recommends either measures of control against the mullein bug, or absence of intervention. Finally, the chart has to be validated in commercial orchards.

09 | ABSTRACTS

INTRAGUILD PREDATION BETWEEN THE GENERALIST PREDATOR MACROLOPHUS PYGMAEUS AND THE APHID PARASITOID APHIDIUS ERVI

Donatella Battaglia; Juliana Duran Prieto; Vincenzo Trotta; Pierluigi Forlano; Paolo Fanti, University of Basilicata, Italy

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

Introduction: The predator Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) and the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are both commercialized for biological control of pest insects. Intraguild predation (IGP) between M. pygmaeus and parasitoids of its prey(s) has been studied only in the case of whitefly parasitoids. We investigated a possible IGP on immature stages of A. ervi by M. pygmaeus. Methods: Predation on parasitized aphids was studied at an early stage (live aphids containing a parasitoid egg) and a late stage (mummy) of parasitism. Predation on newly parasitized aphids was tested by offering to M. pygmaeus groups of twenty aphids with a different proportion of parasitized/non parasitized items: 0/20; 5/15; 10/10; 15/5; 20/0. We tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the predation rate on parasitized vs unparasitized hosts. After the exposure to the predator we dissected under a stereomicroscope the unpredated aphids to assess the presence of the parasitoid egg/larva and we compared the expected parasitization rates with the observed ones. Predation on mummies was studied in no-choice conditions. Results: The relative proportion of the healthy and parasitized aphids did not change the total prey consumption. Predation on newly parasitized aphids was not random: the observed parasitization rates in aphids after exposure to predation was significantly lower than the expected ones, in the assumption of the same predation rate on parasitized vs unparasitized aphids. M. pygmaeus was able to feed on parasitoid mummies but in different amounts than those reported for other aphid predators. Conclusion: Results of this study confirm previous observations in other studies on the susceptibility to predation of aphids at an early stage of parasitism, and suggest the possibility of a significant IGP if M. pygmaeus and A. ervi occur together in the field.

09 | ABSTRACTS

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF OBPS BY A TRANSCRIPTOMIC APPROACH AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF OLFACTORY RECEPTORS IN APHIDIUS ERVI

Donatella Battaglia, University of Basilicata, Italy Roberto Romani, University of Perugia, Italy Emanuele Viviano; Gerarda Grossi, University of Basilicata, Italy Sara Ruschioni; Paola Riolo, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy Andrea Scala; Pierluigi Forlano; Marisa Nardiello; Rosanna Salvia; Patrizia Falabella, University of Basilicata, Italy Isidoro Nunzio, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

Introduction: Chemoreception is the main mechanism used by insects to communicate both intra-species and inter-species, and to interact with their environment. The specialized organs for this function are sensilla, mainly located on the antennae, but also on tarsis, palpi and genitalia. At the molecular level, it is essential the role of OBPs that solubilize and carry the odorant molecules towards the specific receptors. In the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), host acceptance is based on the perception of specific kairomones present on the aphid cuticula and cornicle secretions. Methods: Antennal sensilla of A. ervi were investigated using both SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). The proteic profile of Aphidius ervi has been determined by working on the construction and annotation of de novo transcriptome, using the specific bioinformatic tool Blast2Go. Results: At least two type of putative olfactory sensilla were found, one of the “placoidea” and the other of the “grooved peg” type. The first type is the most abundant and was found on most of the antennomeres evenly distributed on the whole surface. The groveed peg occurs only on the distal part of some antennomeres. The analysis of the transcriptome allowed us to identify the transcripts which mediate olfactory perception, in particular several OBPs and other molecules that were identified and characterized. Conclusions: The study of the molecular basis of olfaction, by the identification of OBPs, provides useful information to better understand OBPs functioning and their interaction with odorant molecules. Then, it will be possible to test different compounds in order to determine their effects on A.ervi behaviour, and their applicability in aphids’ biological control.

09 | ABSTRACTS

CLIMATE CHANGE: ATMOSPHERIC CO2 CONCENTRATION AFFECT APHID ALARM SIGNALLING

Antoine Boullis; Frédéric Francis; Georges Lognay; Stephanie Heuskin; François Verheggen, Gembloux Agro-bio Tech - University of Liège, Belgium

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Temperature and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are rising and should not stabilize in the foreseeable future. Assessment of these changes on species interactions is one ecological challenge. Like many insect species, aphids communicate with each other thanks to semiochemicals, and because of their economical importance in agriculture, the understanding of their adaptation to a changing climate remains a major issue. Here, we test the hypothesis that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration affect alarm signaling in aphids, and specifically (E)-β-farnesene (Eβf - main compound of alarm pheromone) (1) production, (2) emission, (3) perception and (4) induced behavioral response. Indeed, it is important to consider the effect of elevated CO2 concentration on all the steps that a semiochemical has to pass by, from its biosynthesis and release by the emitter individual, until its perception and behavioral response expressed by the receiver. Using pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) reared under ambient or elevated CO2 concentrations (respectively [aCO2] and [eCO2]), we first quantified the whole body content of Eβf, and found no significant differences. Secondly, using dynamic headspace volatile collection, we quantified the amount of Eβf released by pea aphids under predation. Pea aphids reared under [eCO2] were found to release lower amount of Eβf. Third, we found no significant differences in terms of neuronal responses to Eβf when using electroantennography. Finally, the escape behavior expressed by an aphid colony when exposed to natural doses of Eβf greatly differed between aphid colonies reared under ambient or elevated [CO2]. We conclude that the chemical communication of aphids reared under CO2 concentrations that mimic those predicted for the coming century will be affected. The potential impact of [CO2] and other abiotic parameters associated with climate change should be evaluated on each trophic level.

09 | ABSTRACTS

THE IMPACT OF VOLATILE SIGNALS ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF APHIDS AND THEIR PARASITOIDS

Toby JA Bruce, Rothamsted Research, UK

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY

Insects possess a highly sensitive and sophisticated nervous system capable of detecting pico-gram amounts of volatile chemicals and resolving these signals in space and time to millisecond accuracy. This allows them to use volatiles to judge the quality of potential hosts and to signal to each other. They process these volatile signals and react differently to them according to the blend composition, the context within which they are perceived, previous experience and how the odours are released over time. For example, Aphis fabae, is attracted to a blend of host odours but repelled by the same compounds if released individually and Sitobion avenae is repelled by alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene but only if exposed to a short burst and not if there is prolonged exposure. Positive responses can become accentuated if they are associated with a reward. Adjusting behavioural responses gives insects the flexibility to adapt to changing environments with different host availability and by integrating many signals they get a more robust picture of their external environment. Both aphids and their parasitoids are under selective pressure to maximise their fitness by optimising host location by finding good quality hosts and avoiding poor quality hosts. For example, Sitobion avenae can recognise fusarium head blight infected wheat plants and avoid them. Conversely, plants are under selective pressure to avoid being eaten by either reducing attraction of aphids or increasing attraction of parasitoids. Aphids are stealthy herbivores which induce fewer volatiles when feeding compared to chewing herbivores, however, aphid parasitoids are able to recognise plants which are attacked by aphids. Furthermore, uninfested plants which are connected belowground by mycorrhizae can also attract aphid parasitoids. Another consideration is hyperparasitism which potentially adds a complicating factor if signals plants release to attract primary parasitoids also attract hyperparasitoids. There are opportunities to exploit volatile signals in pest management both in terms of repelling pests and attracting their natural enemies but their deployment strategies need to have at least the same level of sophistication as the insects they are designed to manage.

09 | ABSTRACTS

WHEAT-PEA INTERCROPPING FOR APHID CONTROL: FROM LABORATORY TRITROPHIC APPROACH TO FIELD APPLICATION

Thomas Lopes;Antoine Boullis, Gembloux Agro-bio Tech - University of Liège, Belgium Haibo Zhou, Anhui Academy of Science and Technology, China Julian Chen, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China Yong Liu, Shandong Agricultural University, China Bernard Bodson;Frédéric Francis, Gembloux Agro-bio Tech - University of Liège, Belgium

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Increasing plant species diversity at the field scale by intercropping can be interesting to promote the biological control of pests, namely the wheat aphid Sitobion avenae. Behavioural assays were first conducted to determine the effect of wheat-pea mixtures combined with aphid infestations on odour preferences of S. avenae and two associated predators, namely Harmonia axyridis and Episyrphus balteatus. Healthy wheat plants were preferred by S. avenae, while wheat-pea mixtures combined with aphid infestations were significantly less attractive. H. axyridis preferred aphid-infested plants separately, but was less attracted when plants were mixed. As for E. balteatus, their searching and oviposition behaviours were stimulated by the different wheat/pea combinations associated with aphid infestations. A field trial was also carried out to compare the effect of mix and strip cropping wheat with pea on aphids and their natural enemies with both pure stands. Wheat and pea aphid populations were significantly reduced by both types of intercropping. Moreover, higher abundances of hoverflies, lacewings and ladybirds were found in mix cropping, followed by strip cropping and pure stands. These findings are discussed in relation to the use of intercropping as an alternative strategy for sustainable aphid control.

09 | ABSTRACTS

LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS AND PREDATION OF CHRYSOPA SP. LACEWINGS ON APHIDS AND MEALYBUGS

George Broufas; Dimitrios Stantzos, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece Efi Parthenopoulou, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece Juliette Pijnakker, Biobest B.V./ Wageningen, UR Greenhouse Horticulture, The Netherlands Ada Leman, Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture, The Netherlands Jeanne Delor, Biobest B.V. , Belgium Maria L. Pappas, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The family Chrysopidae includes about 1200 different species of predatory insects. The larvae of all species are voracious and feed on key pests of crops such as aphids, scale insects, lepidopteran and coleopteran eggs, thrips and spider mites. Although most chrysopids exhibit their predatory capacity as larvae, Chrysopa species feed on prey both as larvae and adults. The ability of these species to consume prey for a longer time period during their life extending from the larval stages to the end of adult life, may be an important advantage for their use in biological control. Despite their great potential as biological control agents of important pests, our knowledge about their biology and their pest suppression efficiency is rather limited. We herein assessed the effect of food on the life-history traits of Chrysopa formosa and C. pallens. We recorded their development and reproduction on natural prey (aphids) and factitious food (Ephestia kuehniella eggs) and estimated their predation on two prey (Myzus persicae and P. citri) in lab experiments. Furthermore, the efficiency of C. formosa and C. pallens in controlling aphids (M. persicae) on pepper plants and mealybugs (Planococcus citri) on rose plants respectively was tested in the greenhouse. Both lacewing species could develop and reproduce on all diets tested. Moth eggs and mealybugs were the worst foods, whereas no differences were recorded among the aphid species tested. Both larvae and adults were capable of consuming high numbers of prey individuals. Aphid and mealybug populations were significantly reduced by Chrysopa sp. lacewings compared to untreated plants in the greenhouse in sweet pepper and roses. Our results show that C. formosa and C. pallens are promising biological control agents. Further research is required in the field to optimize their use in pest control.

09 | ABSTRACTS

INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF FIVE CRYPTIC SPECIES OF THE EUROPEAN CHRYSOPERLA CARNEA GROUP ON DIFFERENT DIETS

George Broufas; Dimitrios Stantzos; Konstantinos Athanasiadis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece Apostolos Pekas, Biobest N.V., Belgium Peter Duelli, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland Charles S. Henry, University of CT, USA Felix Wäckers, Biobest / Lancaster University, U.K. Maria L. Pappas , Democritus University of Thrace

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Lacewings are predatory insects with great potential in biological control. Among the 1200 species of the family Chrysopidae, the Holarctic carnea-group of the genus Chrysoperla comprises an important complex of at least 16 cryptic species, distinguishable more reliably by their species-specific substrate-borne courtship songs. Five of these cryptic species occur endemically in Europe (C. agilis, C. carnea sensu stricto, C. lucasina, C. mediterranea, C. pallida) in overlapping geographical distributions. “Chrysoperla carnea” is the only species nominally marketed by the European biocontrol industry. Methods: We estimated the life-history traits of the five sympatric European C. carnea group species reared on different natural prey and factitious diets. In addition, we assessed their predation efficiency against aphids and mealybugs using laboratory and greenhouse experiments. All species performed equally well on Ephestia kuehniella eggs, a factitious food commonly used for mass rearing of natural enemies. Significant differences were recorded among the five species in their performance on the aphid and mealybug species tested. Predation rates also varied both between the cryptic carnea group species and between types of prey species, with C. agilis, C. pallida and C. carnea being the most voracious. Our study revealed species-specific differences among the different cryptic species of the European C. carnea group with regard to their responses to different prey. These results are useful in the identification of new biological control agents within the C. carnea complex.

09 | ABSTRACTS

WHY DO SOME NON-NATIVE LADY BEETLES BECOME INVASIVE WHILE OTHERS REMAIN BENIGN?

Roman Bucher, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany Florian Menzel, Universität Mainz, Germany John J. Obrycki, University of Kentucky, USA

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

Despite the growing scientific literature on detrimental effects of invasive species, we often lack a mechanistic understanding why some species become invasive while others remain benign. Possibly, invasive predators might remain undetected by native top-predators and thus suffer less intraguild interference (naïve predator hypothesis). In addition, invasive predators might benefit from the lack of predator avoidance by native prey (naïve prey hypothesis). The ability to recognize non-native predators and consequently the strength of intraguild interference and predator avoidance is expected to depend on cue similarity with native predators. Non-native predators bearing a unique set of cues might have the double advantage of naïve prey and naïve predators and thus outcompete native predators. Due to the strong trophic interdependence and the availability of similar (congeneric species in the invaded range) and novel (no congeneric species in the invaded range) non-native lady beetle species, the ant-lady beetle-aphid system is particularly well suited to test for predator-prey naïveté. Here, we will compare the aggression of ants towards lady beetles, the avoidance behavior of aphids, and the consumption of aphids by lady beetles currently occurring in Europe and in North America. In addition, we will analyze lady beetle cues to quantify cue similarity between native and non-native species. The intercontinental approach is crucial to evaluate the importance of predator-prey naiveté for the invasion success of a non-native species. The proposed project will further contribute to a general mechanistic understanding of biological invasions by relating species interactions to the cue similarity between native and non-native species. This joint approach will not only shed light on the semiochemicals that mediate these interactions but also improve our ability to explain and predict high-impact invasions of insect predators.

09 | ABSTRACTS

FACTORS AFFECTING CAPTURE OF COCCINELLIDAE IN TRAPS

Ted Cottrell; Emily Kemp, USDA-ARS, USA

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

Purposeful attraction and aggregation of adult Coccinellidae at target sites would be useful for sampling purposes and pest suppression. We field tested 1) lures in yellow and black pyramidal traps, 2) pyramidal traps that had been painted one or two colors (without lures) and 3) placement of traps at different heights to determine if lures, trap color or height of trap placement affected capture of adult Coccinellidae. In only one experiment with lures did a single rate of limonene increase trap capture, whereas no other lure ever did. Yellow traps, regardless of using a lure, always captured significantly more lady beetles than black traps. When single-color red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and white traps (without lures) were tested, yellow traps captured significantly more lady beetles. Of all species of Coccinellidae captured in these single-color traps, 95% were the exotic species Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) and Coccinella septempunctata L. In fact, H. axyridis alone dominated trap capture comprising 74.1% of all lady beetles. Two-color traps (yellow—green, yellow— orange, yellow—white, and yellow—black) never captured more than single-color yellow traps. Placement of yellow traps at different heights within pecan orchards revealed that some species predominantly occurred low near the ground whereas other species preferred to remain higher within the tree canopy. Similar numbers of H. axyridis, however, were captured at all trap heights. Our results demonstrate that: 1) under field conditions, chemical lures were not effective for attracting adult Coccinellidae, 2) yellow pyramidal traps are attractive to adult Coccinellidae and 3) vertical stratification of species of adult Coccinellidae occurs within orchards. We expect that yellow pyramidal traps can be used to purposefully attract, and when used without a collection device, possibly aggregate adult Coccinellidae at targeted field sites.

09 | ABSTRACTS

GLANDULAR TRICHOMES IN TOMATO: IMPLICATIONS IN THE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF APHIDS USING PARASITOIDS

Eduardo de la Peña, Institute for Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture, Spain

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum is one of the most important crops worldwide, but its agricultural production is impaired by different insect species that affect its growth and productivity. Some species of aphids are of particular importance as they not only limit the growth of the plant but are also vectors of viruses and other plant-pathogens. In many areas of the world a significant part of aphid control still relies on the use of phytochemicals, a situation that requires the further development of alternative production methods and IPM. In this sense, there are two complementary ways of action: (1) developing crop varieties resistant to insects and; (2) improving biological control strategies using natural enemies of insect pests. In either case, it is imperative to understand the defense mechanisms of the plant as they mediate not only the interaction between the plant and the insect herbivores, but also their interactions with natural enemies. Plant glandular trichomes show a key role in plant defense against herbivorous insects because they are involved in the production of induced defensive compounds (e.g. acylsucroses) that potenitally mediate the interaction with aphids and also with their natural enemies. In this study, I addressed how glandular trichomes in different introgressed lines of tomato that vary in the type and abundance of glandular trichomes affect the aphid Macrosiphum eurphorbiae and the parasitoid Aphidius ervi,

09 | ABSTRACTS

FIFTY SHADES OF THE HARLEQUIN LADYBIRD AND A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

Lukáš Fiedler; Oldřich Nedvěd, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

Physiological and reproductive characteristics and parasites of the harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773); Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) collected during their autumn migration in 2014 are analysed. We recorded fresh mass, body size, sex, colouration and the presence of the parasitic fungus Hesperomyces virescens in every individual and dissected females for detection of sperm in their spermatheca. Carotenoids were extracted from elytra in ethanol and their concentration was measured spectrophotometrically. I examined part of the females for the presence of Parasitylenchus bifurcatus nematodes in the body cavity. The carotenoid content decreased during season. The red older individuals migrated as soon as possible, while the younger orange ones came to it gradually. There were 77 % of the red older females mated, 39 % of the younger orange females, 36 % of the yellow females and 48 % of the melanic females mated at the time of migration. While 36 % of infected females were mated, only 11 % of uninfected females were mated. Therefore H. virescens is rightfully considered as sexually transmitted disease. Here we provide the first evidence worldwide for lower structural size in heavily infected males compared to healthier males. This does not mean that infection causes smaller growth but rather that small males were more active in mating or were more sensitive for infection. Individuals of the morph succinea with smaller fraction of the elytra melanised were more carotenoid-rich, thus epidermal cells do not store carotenoids underneath the black cuticle. There were more individuals of the morph succinea that were heavily spotted in later samples because they moulted recently before the migration at lower temperatures causing increased melanisation. The co-infection with both parasites occurred in 14 % of the females examined. These females had higher body mass and carotenoid contents in elytra compared to uninfected or single infected ones.

09 | ABSTRACTS

LANDSCAPE LEVEL DYNAMICS OF THE CEREAL APHID PARASITOID LYSIPHLEBUS TESTACEIPES IN THE US SOUTHERN PLAINS

Kristopher Giles, Oklahoma State University, USA Norman Elliott, USDA-ARS, USA Brian McCornack, Kansas State University, USA Casi Jessie, Oklahoma State University, USA William Jessie, Oklahoma State University, USA

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Lysiphlebus testaceipes is a highly effective parasitoid of aphid pests in winter wheat fields throughout the US Southern Plains. The biology of this primary parasitoid is uniquely suited to the region and predictable population suppression dynamics have been incorporated into pest management programs. Our goal is to predictively identify “wheat” landscapes with low-to-high risks for aphid outbreaks and optimize pest scouting efforts. Results from multi- year studies on within-landscape dynamics and between-field movement of L. testaceipes are the focus of this presentation. In autumn, aphids and parasitoids colonize wheat fields from a variety of vegetation sources and parasitism is significantly affected by structure of landscapes surrounding wheat fields. Similar to other agricultural landscape studies, the amount of wheat surrounding evaluated fields was associated with decreased parasitism, whereas, higher parasitism was associated with increasing mean fractal dimension of habitat patches, patch density, and patch richness. Data indicate that these factors influence parasitism at a larger spatial scale in the US Southern Plains. During the spring, winter wheat fields subsequently function as an L. testaceipes source habitat for surrounding crop habitats, potentially reducing aphid pest pressure on spring/summer crops.

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CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF FECUNDITY STIMULATION IN APHIDS AS A RESPONSE PARASITISM

George Heimpel, University of Minnesota, USA

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SESSION: PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL

Hosts of koinobiont parasitoids may reproduce prior to succumbing to parasitism if the adult stage is parasitized. This is the case for many hemimetabolous host insects, including aphids. From a population-dynamics point of view, the reproduction of parasitized hosts may reduce the suppression of host populations by parasitoids, and from an evolutionary point of view it could lead to a situation in which traits favoring post-parasitism reproduction are mutually beneficial to host and parasitoid. Here we quantified the causes of consequences of post-parasitism reproduction by the aphid parasitoid Lysisphlebus orientalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which attacks the soybean aphid (Aphis glycinies) and has a preference for late-instar aphids. During the course of these studies, we also discovered that the offspring of parasitized aphids are more fecund than the offspring of unparasitized aphids. This is a novel finding for parasitoid-host interactions and appears to be due to decreased inter-embryonic competition within parasitized versus unparasitized aphids. We combined multi-generational cage studies along with a matrix modeling approach to investigate the effect both of post-parasitism reproduction by aphids and fecundity stimulation in the offspring of parasitized aphids. These studies showed that post- parasitism reproduction, but not fecundity stimulation, can greatly delay the suppression of aphid populations by this parasitoid. In conclusion, post-parasitism reproduction can occur in aphid/parasitoid interactions when late instars are attacked and may be an important determinant of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in these systems.

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THE MYRMECOPHILOUS LADYBIRD PLATYNASPIS LUTEORUBRA GOEZE - A PROMISING OPTION FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL?

Annette Herz; Jana Furtwengler; Tobias Koch; Silvia Matray; Helen Pfitzner, Julius Kühn-Institut, Darmstadt, Germany

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

The life history of the myrmecophilous ladybird Platynaspis luteorubra Goeze is rather unknown, probably due to the cryptic behavior of this tiny beetle. However, it is known that the different developmental stages are not attacked by ants when feeding on aphid colonies. The regular occurrence of adults in cardboards traps for pest monitoring in apple orchards let us argue that this species may have some role in control of apple infesting aphids as well as some potential as biological control agent against aphids which are often tended by ants. Therefore, we investigated the preferred prey and predatory potential of this species. In comparative experiments with the well-known aphid antagonists Chrysoperla carnea and Aphidoletes aphidimyza, P. luteorubra was partly able to constrain the growth of the aphid population. Nevertheless P. luteolubra lacks some of the most important properties of beneficial organisms, commercially used in biological plant protection: a high reproduction rate, a high voracity as well as a simple and inexpensive method for mass-rearing. The undeniable advantage of this beetle is its myrmecophily, which may give some special opportunity to use this predator as an antagonist of problematic aphid species in vegetable production like the black bean aphid Aphis fabae.

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ECOORCHARD: AN EU-WIDE COLLABORATIVE PROJECT TO BOOST FUNCTIONAL BIODIVERSITY OF ORGANIC ORCHARDS

Annette Herz; Silvia Matray, Julius Kühn-Institut, Institute for Biological Control, Darmstadt, Germany Francois Warlop, GRAB, Avignon, France Lukas Pfiffner, Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland Lene Sigsgaard, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The aim of the CoreOrganic Plus Project EcoOrchard (http://coreorganicplus.org/research- projects/ecoorchard/) is to develop appropriate strategies for promoting functional agro- biodiversity (FAB) in organic apple growing. The suitability of flower strips to enhance natural enemies and to improve pest control is tested in comparable field trials in seven participating countries (Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Italy). The flower strips have been established in the interrows and consist of a selected plant mixture, adapted to regional conditions and resistant to a mulching regime favouring the flowering herbs. Aphidophagous and predatory species which are known as natural enemies of the rosy apple aphid and codling moth shall be promoted by these additional floral resources. In addition to the field evaluation of potential effects, laboratory trials at JKI will prove the value of the involved plant species for selected beneficials and pests in order to tailor the flower mixture accordingly. Moreover, project activities also aim to select practical methods to monitor functional biodiversity by farmers themselves, in order to get them more committed and sensibilized to practices favourable to FAB. A web-based thematic portal (EBIO-Network = European Biodiversity Orchard Network) has been created, where the achieved results are continuously reported and recommendations for practical use are provided to various stakeholders in this sector.

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CORRELATION OF LONG-TERM CHANGES IN ABUNDANCE OF COCCINELLID SPECIES IN COMMUNITIES OF HOST PLANTS WITH CONTRAST ABUNDANCE OF HARMONIA AXYRIDIS

Alois Honek; Zdenka Martinkova; Anthony F.G. Dixon, Crop Research Institute, Czech Republic Helen E. Roy, NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, U.K. Stano Pekar; Jiri Skuhrovec, Crop Research Institute, Czech Republic

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

We assessed the changes in abundance and community composition of native species of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) that occurred between 1970s and 2010s, in the Czech Republic. Coccinellids were sampled from trees (Acer, Betula, Tilia), broadleaved weedy herbs (Artemisia, Matricaria, Urtica) and crops (Avena, Hordeum, Medicago, Triticum), using a standardized sweeping method. This was done before (1976-1986) and after (2011-2015) the arrival of Harmonia axyridis, an invasive aphidophagous intraguild predator. Thirty native species were identified in the total sample of adults. On trees where H. axyridis became dominant species, the abundance of Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella quinquepunctata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata decreased over the period sampled. Declines in abundance of these species were already evident prior to the arrival of H. axyridis. Downward trends in abundance of several species were observed also on herbs and on crops despite low abundance of H. axyridis on these host-plants. Although the abundance of several species decreased and the frequency of some species varied, the diversity of native coccinellid populations on particular host plants (Shannon index) was similar over the 40 years of this study. The changes in species composition can in part be attributed to H. axyridis. However, habitat change (developments in agriculture practices and changes in landscape use) and other factors (climate change) may contribute to parallel development in coccinellid communities of particular host plants with contrast abundance of H. axyridis.

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HOW COULD WE IMPROVE SAFETY OF APHID BIOLOGICAL CONTROL?

Josep A. Jaques, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA

The talk will inform on the engagement of IOBC-WPRS “Commission on the Harmonized regulation of Invertebrate Biological Control Agents” (CHIBCA) to develop guidance on regulation procedures and data requirements for risk assessment of beneficial organisms before their introduction and use in biocontrol. This concept will demonstrated by applying it to several examples of aphidophagous biocontrol agents.

POTENTIAL LIMITING FACTORS IN THE DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERN OF EPHEDRUS PLAGIATOR (NEES 1811) (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE: APHIDIINAE)

Marijana Ilić Milošević; Saša Stanković; Vladimir Žikić, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The species Ephedrus plagiator is an important biological agent in controlling various aphids. As a generalist, it has a wide host range, exhibiting tritrophic associations with different plant species. In this study we wished to pattern tritrophic associations of parasitic wasp species E. plagiator sampled in the Central Balkan Peninsula. To achieve this, we set the following goals: (1) to construct the data matrix with all tritrophic associations where E. plagiator was recorded, (2) to investigate other tritrophic associations of the hosts of E. plagiator, in the interactions with other Aphidiinae species, (3) and finally to detect potential reasons which limit E. plagiator to be part of particular associations. We obtained 58 tritrophic associations where E. plagiator was involved. On the other hand, in 68 tritrophic associations of the listed aphids, with 57 host plants and 16 parasitoid species, E. plagiator did not appear. Considering only one criterion, host plants, E. plagiator have never been recorded in the associations on 36 plant species. Most frequent in the tritrophic associations formed excluding E. plagiator were the following parasitoids: Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), Praon volucre (Haliday) and Aphidius ervi Haliday. Due to a specific distributional pattern which E.

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plagiator showed, we presumed that the particular host plant or parasitoid species could be a limiting factor in its attacking strategy. Further investigation of potential competitive species as well as host plants which are unfavorable for E. plagiator could provide useful information that will facilitate the implementation of E. plagiator in future biocontrol programs.

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DIAERETIELLA RAPAE AND LYSIPHLEBUS TESTACEIPES IN WINTER CANOLA

William Jessie; Kristopher Giles; Tom Royer, Oklahoma State University, USA Norman Elliott, USDA-ARS, USA JP Michaud, Kansas State University, USA Mark Payton, Oklahoma State University, USA

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Diaeretiella rapae plays a significant role in suppression of Lipaphis erysimi in several parts of the world, including the United States. This parasitoid tends to specialize on crucifer-feeding aphid hosts such as L. erysimi and Brevicoryne brassicae, now commonly detected in a rapidly-expanding oilseed crop (winter canola) in the US Southern Great Plains. Diaeretiella rapae is currently found almost exclusively in winter canola during the spring when aphid intensities are typically at their highest. Neighboring winter wheat fields are a well-known source habitat for Lysiphlebus testaceipes, a primary parasitoid of cereal aphids. During a 3-year spring sampling period, extremely large numbers of L. testaceipes were collected in winter canola fields, but did not successfully parasitize aphids in this crop. We therefore initiated studies determining to what extent L. testaceipes populations interact/compete with D. rapae in winter canola. Preliminary results indicate a reduced percentage of L. erysimi are parasitized when D. rapae forages in the presence of L. testaceipes. However, no reduction in apparent parasitism rates were observed when D. rapae forages before or after L. testaceipes. Although it is still unclear how frequent interactions between these two parasitoids are in the field, these laboratory results suggest the proximity of winter canola fields to winter wheat may enhance colonization of canola by L. testaceipes and reduce the suppressive effects of D. rapae on L. erysimi.

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SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF NATURAL ENEMIES IN WINTER CANOLA-WHEAT AGROECOSYSTEMS

Casi Jessie; Kristopher Giles, Oklahoma State University, USA Timothy Kring, University of Arkansas, USA Brian McCornack, Kansas State University, USA James Hagler, USDA-ARS, USA

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Winter canola, a relatively new crop in the Southern Plains of the United States, has proven to be a successful rotational crop with winter wheat. However, because of its rapid adoption into wheat production systems, little research has been conducted regarding the effects this new crop may have on established insect communities. Canola in this region flowers for four weeks during mid-spring when insect predators are becoming more active. Unfortunately, this activity corresponds with rapid increases in aphid populations and subsequent chemical control methods. It remains unknown as to which, if any, insects are negatively impacted by pest management practices. A collaborative project was initiated to determine which invertebrates are residing in adjoining winter canola, winter wheat, and non-agricultural lands during the canola flowering season and to determine the extent key predators are moving among crop habitats. Yellow sticky-cards were used to detect insect activity in canola fields adjacent to wheat as well as in canola fields adjacent to non-agricultural lands (i.e., fallow areas). Unique protein markers were also used to reveal directional movement of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) and green lacewings (Chrysopidae) in these systems. Results indicate that predators colonize canola primarily from wheat habitats. Compared with unmanaged wheat fields, however, the quality and quantity of food resources in highly managed canola habitats are likely limiting for predators. Based on both field and suitability studies, winter canola may be functioning as a sink habitat in these relatively simple agricultural landscapes in the US Southern Plains. We will discuss strategies for conserving insect predator populations in these canola-wheat systems.

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NEWLY OBSERVED MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF HEAD AND MESOSOMA OF APHID PARASITOIDS (BRACONIDAE, APHIDIINAE)

Maryna Kaliuzhna, I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The posterior surface of the head, ventral parts of thorax, structure and sculpture of metanotum of Aphidiinae (Braconidae) were studied for the first time. Specimens were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The conducted studies demonstrate that the ventral part of the occipital suture is distinct in species of the genera Aphidius, Ephedrus, Diaeretiella, Praon, and is missing in Adialytus, Binodoxys, Trioxys, Lysiphlebus. The occipital and hipostomal carinae cross near the bases of the stipeses in the genera Adialytus, Binodoxys and Lysiphlebus, or near their middle parts (Ephedrus, Praon), or near their apices (Aphidius, Diaeretiella, Trioxys); also the occipital carina can reach the ventral side of the head (Lipolexis). The shape of the propleuron also varies. Its front inner margin can be straight (Diaeretiella rapae, Trioxys cirsii), advanced (Lipolexis gracilis), or emarginate (Binodoxys acalephae). The presence and degree of development of the mesosternal lines vary between different genera. For instance, the longitudinal suture between the mesopleurae is distinct in Aphidius and Diaeretiella, poorly marked in Trioxys cirsii and absent in Ephedrus plagiator, Lysiphlebus fabarum and Praon volucre. The transverse carinae can be continuous (Ephedrus, Praon), partially developed (Aphidius ervi, Trioxys cirsii), or almost absent (Lysiphlebus fabarum). Also, Toxares deltiger is bearing rather peculiar carinated sternauli. The study on the sculpture of the metanotum of aphidiines has also revealed the remarkable differences being characteristic for some genera or the groups of genera. The differences include: the relative proportions of the metanotum, the shape and setation of the metascutellum, the number and form of the carinae arising from the metascutellum toward the mesoscutellum.

New data on morphology can be used to study evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships within Aphidiinae and may facilitate their identification.

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APHIDS AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN THE COASTAL AREA OF TUNISIA

Monia Kamel Ben Halima; Lassaad Mdellel; Sana Zouari; Rihem Adouani, University of Sousse, Tunesia

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Aphids are very common sap-sucking insects that can cause a lack of plant vigor, distorted growth and often excrete a sticky substance (honeydew) on foliage which allows the growth of sooty moulds. This study aimed to aims to identify aphid’s species and their natural enemies on ornamental plants in Chott Mariem in the coast of Tunisia. Aphids and their enemies were collected and identified in the laboratory. Results showed the presence of 10 aphids species (Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, Aphis spiraecola Pagenstecher, Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis fabae Scop, Macrosiphum rosae L. , Aphis craccivora Koch, Cinara cupressi Buckton , Brachycaudus helichrysi Kaltenbach, Rhodobium porosum Sanderson and Greenidae ficicola Takahashi), 6 ladybugs species (Hippodamia variegate Goeze, Scymnus pallipediformis Gunther, Adalia decempunctata Linnaeus, Scymnus nubilus Mulsant, Scymnus subvillosus Goeze and Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata L.) and a parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson (Hemenoptera, Braconidae). These natural enemies are not specific and observed on different identified aphids species populations.

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DENSITY-DEPENDENT RESPONSE OF NATURAL ENEMIES TO SOYBEAN APHID

Devi Kandel, South Dakota State University, USA Kelley Tilmon, Ohio State University, USA

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Many field studies have shown the importance of natural enemies for suppression of invasive soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura. Natural enemy abundance in different soybean habitats varies with the abundance of soybean aphids in those habitats. The objective of this field study was to determine how habitat relates to the recruitment of natural enemies to aphid-dense patches within those habitats. Habitats were field plots with aphid-resistant or susceptible varieties, with and without insecticidal seed treatment. Potted sentinel plants (aphid-free and aphid-dense) on a susceptible soybean variety were placed in these four plant habitats and natural enemies and aphid populations were counted daily for five days. More generalist predators, particularly coccinellids, were observed on aphid-dense plants than on aphid-free sentinel plants. In all habitats, we observed a strong density dependent decline in aphid population, with populations on aphid-dense plants decreasing dramatically regardless of habitat, and both aphid-free and ambient field plants showing an increase in aphid populations. Aphid decline on aphid-dense plants was four-fold greater in magnitude than the aphid increase on other types of plants. This illustrates the strong ability of natural enemies to locate and to respond rapidly to high-density aphid populations, and their potential to regulate outbreak soybean aphid populations under the right conditions.

CLIMATE CHANGE: EFFECT OF HEAT AND WATER-DEPRIVED PLANTS ON THE POTATO APHID, MACROSIPHUM EUPHORBIAE, AND ITS PARASITOID APHIDIUS ERVI

Kerstin Krüger; Lezel Beetge; Rami Kfir, University of Pretoria, South Africa

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Introduction. Climate change, such as more frequent droughts and heat waves, may alter the abundance and distribution of insects. Heat waves and drought frequently occur together, but their combined effect on insect herbivores and their parasitoids is not well understood.

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Moderate water-deficit stress can increase the nutritional value of plants for herbivores, benefiting their natural enemies. Heat stress on the other hand may influence insects negatively. We evaluated the effect of moderate water deficit-stressed plants and high day- night temperatures on life-history traits of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on potato, Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae). Methods. The development, survival and reproduction of M. euphorbiae and A. ervi were determined at ambient and high day-night temperatures (25/15 ºC and 30/20 ºC) on either moderately water deficit-stressed (25-30% pot capacity) or well-watered (80-100% pot capacity) potato plants in the laboratory. Stomatal conductance and amino acid concentrations were measured as indirect indicators of plant water stress and nutritional status. Results. Life-history parameters at ambient temperature were not influenced by water stress. Water stress and high day-night temperatures led to a reduction in the number of nymphs produced and nymphal and adult survival of M. euphorbiae, as well as adult emergence of A. ervi. High day-night temperatures, regardless of the water regime, reduced the number of M. euphorbiae nymphs produced, but did not influence the number of parasitoid mummies formed. Stomatal conductance was lower in water-stressed than well-watered plants at both day-night temperature regimes. Nitrogen concentration did not differ among treatments. Conclusion. Although high temperature combined with water-deficit stress reduced adult emergence of A. ervi, the parasitoid was less affected by high temperature and water-deficit stress than M. euphorbiae.

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SHORT-TERM INCREASES IN APHID DISPERSAL DUE TO DEFENSIVE DROPPING BEHAVIOR DO NOT NECESSARILY AFFECT LONG-TERM BIOLOGICAL CONTROL BY A PARASITIC WASP.

Michelangelo La-Spina , Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Canada Sarah Jandricic, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Canada Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, Canada

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)) is one of the principal aphid pests of greenhouse ornamental crops in North America. Increasing pesticide regulation and limited availability of efficacious pesticides that are compatible with biological control have increased the importance of developing effective biological control for this aphid. At the moment, biological control of foxglove aphids mostly relies on the use of Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). However, in response to parasitoid attack, foxglove aphids drop and/or disperse from the site of attack, potentially aggravating the problem. The goal of this work was to analyze aphid defensive behavior and its effect on pest dispersal in a crop in the short and medium term after A. ervi attack. We conducted 3 separate experiments to describe 1- Searching behavior and plant strata preference of A. ervi on aphid-infested plants; 2- Dropping behaviour of A. solani after parasitoid attack; 3- Dispersal of A. solani after an attack and parasitism over time. In observational experiments using top and bottom leaves infested with 30-40 aphids, Aphidius ervi tended to land on top leaves. However, more aphids were parasitized on the bottom leaves. Additionally, most aphids dropped off the plant in the presence of a parasitoid. In large cage experiments, where aphids were allowed to distribute naturally, the parasitoid caused a high rate of aphid dispersal after initial attack. However, only a few aphids were able to reach new plants, and many of these become mummified over time (either parasitized in the initial attack or parasitized at their new location). We conclude that the danger of the parasitoid-induced dispersal of foxglove aphids is relatively low, as the parasitoid was able to control the aphids over time.

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EFFECTS OF AN APHID’S TOXIC DEFENSIVE PHENOTYPE RIPPLE THROUGH THE NATURAL ENEMY COMMUNITY

Paul A. Lenhart; Kelly A. Jackson; Jennifer A. White, University of Kentucky, USA

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: ORAL PRESENTATION

Introduction: Aphids attract diverse natural enemy communities, characterized by a range of competitive interactions and top-down control of aphid populations. However, aphids can vary widely in their suitability as prey for different species, which may impact community structure. We have found that some lineages of Aphis craccivora are highly toxic to Harmonia axyridis, but are suitable prey for other coccinellid species. The mechanism for toxicity is endogenous to aphid genotype (not host plant or aphid endosymbiont derived), and varies dramatically among aphid clones, with some clones lacking toxicity to Harmonia. We used this intraspecific variation to investigate, in a large open field experiment, how toxicity to a keystone predator affects the aphidophagous community of Aphis craccivora at large. Methods: We stocked fava plants with either nontoxic or toxic aphids and placed them in a field in central Kentucky; half the plants received 20 neonate Harmonia. We monitored all arthropod taxa for 10 days and quantified parasitism from surviving aphids. Results: When Harmonia was present, toxic aphids had much higher densities than nontoxic aphids, due to death and delayed development of the Harmonia larvae. Other coccinellid species responded to this numerical advantage, and were more abundant on plants infested with toxic than nontoxic aphids, when Harmonia was present. Toxic aphid colonies may therefore provide a refuge from this strong intraguild predator. Interestingly, the most common parasitoid, Lysiphlebus testaceipes, was less successful on toxic vs. nontoxic aphid lineages, and was not a beneficiary of the Harmonia-free space provided by the aphid defensive trait. Conclusions: Intraspecific variation in defensive phenotypes can have important effects on communities. If prey suitability affects a keystone predator, shifts in the enemy community could compromise short-term suppression of a pest population. However, in the long-term, a refuge for subdominant enemies may promote diversity and stability of enemy communities.

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THE GENERALISM DEBATE: DO GENERALISTS ACTUALLY EXIST IN NATURE?

Hugh David Loxdale, Cardiff University, U.K.

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

As is well known, aphids are attacked by a range of predators and parasitoids, especially coccinellid (ladybird) beetles and hymenopterous endoparasitoids. It is often said that all three groups have so-called ‘generalist’ forms, or more correctly polyphagous forms. But are these really as generalist as people think? For a start, as known from studies of predatory mammals, a species may have a wide diet breadth, but be essentially specialist, feeding on one preferred prey compared with other prey items. In insects, herbivores, predators and parasitoids are constrained in terms of diet by many factors − morphological, behavioural, genetic, chemical/biochemical, especially including chemical ecology. There is also the problem of morphologically-similar/identical cryptic species, highlighted in recent years following the application of high resolution molecular (DNA) markers. Thus some apparent generalist species are seen in fact to be arrays of cryptic, specialist forms. It may even be that because specialism is the fundamental driving force in nature, thereby reducing intra- and interspecific competition, and in largely asexual animals such as aphids, intra- and interclonal competition for particular resources (habitat/niche), then perhaps all species are ultimately specialist. In the present talk, I discuss this possibility, concentrating on aphids and wasp parasitoids.

EFFECT OF ALTERNATIVE PREY OR PLANT RESOURCES ON CANNIBALISM BY PREY- AND POLLEN-SPECIALIZED ISOGROUP LINES OF THE ZOOPHYTOPHAGOUS MULLEIN BUG CAMPYLOMMA VERBASCI (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE).

Eric Lucas; François Dumont; Denis Réale, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

Zoophytophagous predators, which can feed on different prey and plant resources, can damage agricultural crops when their number is high relative to that of their prey.

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Cannibalism has been observed in many arthropod species. Cannibalism is a way of surviving for predators under low prey density. From an applied point of view, cannibalism in zoophytophagous species can reduce predator density, and potentially divert individuals from feeding on plants, thereby restricting plant damages. An individual’s tendency for cannibalism may depend on its genotype in link with its specialization for prey or plant resources, in interaction with the availability of alternative food resources. We hypothesise that 1) genotypes specialized for prey consumption show higher level of cannibalism than pollen-specialized genotypes, and 2) that both lines decrease cannibalism in presence of their preferred resource. We tested these hypotheses with two isogroup lines of the zoophytophagous mullein bug Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) (Hemiptera: Miridae) either specialized on animal (mites) or on plant (pollen) diets. Under laboratory conditions, we allowed large 4th and 5th nymphal instars to feed on small 1st and 2nd instar during 24hrs, in absence of additional resources, and with either two spotted spider mites, or pollen. Cannibalism was significantly reduced by the availability of both prey and pollen, but prey had a lower effect than pollen. According to our 1st hypothesis, the intensity of cannibalism was always higher in the prey-specialized line than in the pollen-specialized line regardless the availability of supplemented resources. The pollen-specialized line decreased its level of cannibalism only when pollen was available. These results indicate that cannibalism is potentially a regulating force in prey-specialized line, but not in pollen-specialized line.

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EVALUATION OF TWO NEW POTENTIAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS AGAINST THE FOXGLOVE APHID AT LOW TEMPERATURES IN CANADIAN GREENHOUSES.

Eric Lucas; Ymilie Francoeur; Marc Fournier, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani Kaltenbach (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reproduce well at low temperatures ranging from 10-20°C and consequently has become one of the most important pests in horticulture in eastern north America. Currently, only chemical control is used since there are no commercially available biological control agents effective against the aphid at these temperatures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of two new predators against the foxglove aphid. We studied the performance of the silverfly, Leucopis annulipes Zetterstedt (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) and the American hoverfly Eupeodes (Metasyrphus) americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) for their use in a banker plant system. Based on previous studies, we hypothesize that the American hoverfly will be the most effective species. Active flight was observed for a period of 10 min at 12°C, 15°C and 18°C. The number of eggs laid by females was calculated after 7 days (18°C and 15°C) and 14 days (12°C). The number of aphids consumed by larvae was determined after a period of 8 days and 8 hrs. (12°C), 6 days and 6hrs. (15°C) and 5 days (18°C). Results show that the hoverfly has a better flight capacity than the silverfly at low temperatures. Hoverfly females lay a higher number of eggs compared to silverfly females. Total aphid consumption by hoverfly larvae was 3-4 times higher than silverfly consumption at all temperatures studied. Hoverfly larvae are highly voracious at cooler temperatures with a daily consumption of more than 300% the fecundity rate of the foxglove aphid. Based on these results, the American hoverfly will be used for further testing with a banker plant system in experimental and commercial greenhouses. This study may contribute to the commercialization of a new biocontrol agent.

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DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF THE SPATIAL CONTEXT ON THE NATURAL CONTROL OF AN INVASIVE APHID.

Eric Lucas; Julie-Éléonore Maisonhaute, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada Geneviève Labrie, Centre de recherche sur les grains (CÉROM), Canada

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The natural control of pests can be influenced by both direct (spatial context, natural enemies) and indirect effects (spatial effects on natural enemies). The objectives of this study were to: 1) Evaluate the relative influence of natural enemies and spatial context at local and landscape scale (1.5km around fields) on the natural control of the soybean aphid (direct effects), 2) Determine the effect of the spatial context on the guild of natural enemies best associated with the natural control of the soybean aphid (indirect effects). Analyses were based on a forward stepwise selection performed within each predictor set, followed by a variation partitioning using the significant variables. Regarding the first objective (direct effects), our results showed that, in 2011 (high infestation), the soybean aphid natural control (cumulative aphid-day) was most explained by a shared effect of natural enemies (entomopathogenic fungi, predators and functional diversity) and spatial context (e.g., presence of buckthorn in field borders, proportion of soybean and crop richness at landscape scale), which accounted for 50% of the variation. That year, the functional diversity was the only natural enemy’s variable negatively associated with the cumulative aphid-day. In 2012, (moderate infestation), the soybean aphid natural control was most explained by the natural enemies (species richness, 23.5 % of variation, unique contribution) followed by a shared effect of natural enemies and landscape context (15.5 % of variation). Regarding the second objective (indirect effects), we found that the natural enemies were positively influenced by the proportion of woodland and negatively influenced by the proportion of soybean in the landscape. Our results suggest that the integrated pest management of the soybean aphid should mainly rely on management of habitats that conserve the natural enemies, especially those promoting functional diversity in the agroecosystem.

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MIRID PREDATORY BUGS FOR APHID CONTROL IN SWEET PEPPER GREENHOUSE CROPS: IS THE PROBLEM SOLVED?

Gerben Messelink; Chantal M.J. Bloemhard, Wageningen UR, The Netherlands Arne Janssen, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

A major benefit of omnivorous predators in biological control is their ability to establish in crops early in the growing season by feeding on plant-provided food sources, such as pollen, nectar of plant sap. This enables them to respond quickly to new infestations of pests. Mirid predatory bugs are such omnivores, which show great potential for aphid control by preventive releases. Here we studied the interaction of the mirid predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur with the thrips predator Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and how their combined or individual presence affected the control of aphids Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande in a sweet pepper crops. Plants were inoculated with predators as soon as the first flowers appeared and thrips and aphid introductions followed later on. Densities of pests and predators were followed through weekly observations in the flowers and on the leaves. The predators together clearly controlled thrips and aphids better than each of them separately. Thrips control was significantly better in the presence of O. laevigatus and aphid control was significantly better in the presence of M. pygmaeus. The two predator species were distributed independently over the flowers, suggesting that they were neither attracted to each other, nor avoided or excluded each other. Combined inoculative releases of M. pygmaeus and O. laevigatus seem to be a good solution for controlling both aphids and thrips as they are able to persist in one crop for a sufficiently long period and they complement each other in the control of both pests. However, more research is needed to better understand the behaviour of omnivores in complex ecosystems with multiple prey, natural enemies and plant resources. A potential drawback of their use could be intraguild predation on A. aphidimyza and the avoidance of dense aphid colonies that secrete high quantities of honeydew.

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CONSPECIFIC AND HETEROSPECIFIC COMPETITORS EXERT NON-CONSUMPTIVE EFFECTS ON DEVELOPING APHID PREDATORS

J.P. Michaud, Kansas State University, USA Paulo Barbosa, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Non-consumptive effects of predators on prey have been well studied, but similar effects among competing predators, less so. The larvae of aphidophagous insects are notorious for cannibalism and intraguild predation, traits which are adaptive for developing on an ephemeral prey for which competition can be intense. We tested for indirect effects between two coccinellids, Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer and Hippodamia convergens Guerin- Meneville, and a green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, when larvae were reared on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. Larvae were reared pairwise, with either a conspecific or a larva of another species, in partitioned Petri dishes that allowed for the passage of chemical cues, but not physical contact. Larvae of C. maculata, a dietary generalist, appeared stressed by the presence of a competing larva, whether con- or heterospecific, and suffered fitness costs (longer pupation times, lower male adult mass). In contrast, H. convergens and C. carnea, both aphid specialists, responded to competing larvae with accelerated development, and without any evident costs in terms of adult size or reproductive performance. In some treatments, larvae of C. carnea matured to adults that were heavier than solitary controls, suggesting an increased consumption rate by the induced phenotype, and those exposed to H. convergens began oviposition earlier. Thus, the phenotype induced in the specialized aphid predators was adaptive and lacked any apparent fitness costs in the absence of the threat, suggesting adaptation to highly competitive conditions. In contrast, the phenotype induced in the more generalist species was indicative of stress and resulted in reduced fitness relative to solitary rearing.

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THIRTY YEARS OF MONITORING LADYBIRDS IN CZECHIA: SUCCESSION, SEASONALITY, HOST PLANTS, SAMPLING METHODS

Oldřich Nedvěd, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic Emanuel Kula, Mendel University, Czech Republic

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: ORAL PRESENTATION

Species assemblages of ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were studied in northern Bohemia, Czech Republic, for a period of 30 years after a sudden destruction of original coniferous forest. Changes in the presence and abundance of individual species during the subsequent succession of vegetation revealed many early stage and few late stage (Calvia) species. There was general gradual decrease in abundance of many species before the arrival of the invasive alien species Harmonia axyridis. Decline of Adalia bipunctata was enhanced after that invasion. Presence of larvae during the season showed the voltinism of more common species and seasonal replacement between them (early Adalia decempunctata, many late species). Presence of adults without larvae showed species that used the trees only for feeding or as a shelter before overwintering. There was not a big difference between the assemblages sampled by shaking the branches of trees and caught to yellow traps. Herbivorous species Cynegetis impunctata prevailed in pitfall traps and fotoeclectors. There are specific species assemblages on birch, spruce, pine, beech, ash and alder.

TETRADECYL ACETATE: A NEW NON-TERPENOID COMPOUND OF APHID CORNICLE SECRETIONS AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE

Liza Nemes; Günther Raspotnig; Doris Reineke; Manfred Hartbauer, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

After mechanical stimulation, aphids often release sticky secretions from their cornicles to defend themselves against predators. Together with the wax-like exudates also volatile constituents are released, serving as alarm pheromones for nearby colony members.

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A widespread aphid alarm pheromone is the sesquiterpene (E)-ß-farnesene (EFB), but other terpenoid compounds have been additionally described. Nevertheless, chemical communication in aphid colonies still deserves further investigations because many aphid species are still chemically unexplored and complete chemical profiles of most species are missing. In this study we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the volatiles of 68 aphid species that were collected in different natural habitats in Austria, Germany, Hungary and Italy, or were obtained from laboratory rearings (N=187 samples). In 27 species including agricultural pests such as Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae we found tetradecyl actetate (TDA) that is known to act as a sex pheromone in some moth species, but that has not been described in aphids so far. After EBF this non-terpenoid was the second most common substance in all species. TDA mostly co-occurred with EBF and smaller terpenes, and often exceeded the relative abundance of all other components. Future studies will shed light on the behavioral relevance of TDA.

STUDY OF THE PREFERENCE-PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP IN GENERALIST PARASITOIDS

Le Thu Ha Nguyen; Lucie Monticelli; Eric Wajnberg; Nicolas Desneux, INRA, France

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

The diversity of species in parasitoid host range defines their host specificity; it has important implications for speciation, community structure and parasitoid ability to invade (or to establish in) novel habitats, notably by using novel host species. Physiological host range (performance) is defined as the sum of all species on which parasitoids can complete their life cycle. As the behaviors leading to host acceptance or rejection (preference) are sequential and complex, host specificity is mediated by both behavioral and physiological host ranges. Few studies have encompassed these mechanisms (preference and performance) for a suite of potential host species for a single parasitoid species. However, a recent study reported that host preference and performance are correlated in a specialist aphid parasitoid model; female parasitoids selects related host according to their suitability for offspring development. As generalist parasitoids are supposed to be able to develop in a wider range of host species than specialist, we have tested the hypothesis that no or weak relationship may occur between preference and performance traits in generalist aphid

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parasitoids when encountering some related aphid hosts. We have characterized behavioral and physiological host ranges of three generalists aphid parasitoids (Aphelinus abdominalis, Aphidius ervi and Diaeretiella rapae) when tested on 12 aphid species. The three parasitoids showed low selectivity, i.e. all aphids were attacked by the females. Moreover, we did not find correlation between the preference and the performance of A. abdominalis and D. rapae while the correlation was significant for A.ervi. For the later, host phylogeny is important as females showed higher attack rate on hosts closely related with optimal hosts. Our current research are focused on identifying ecological filters that may lend to narrow parasitoid host range, e.g. the presence of endosymbionts in stung aphids as well as the impact of the plants bearing aphid hosts.

ON THE ESTIMATION OF PREDATORS’ HANDLING TIME USING THE STEADY-STATE SATIATION EQUATION: AN APPLICATION TO APHIDOPHAGOUS COCCINELLIDS

Nikos Papanikolaou; Dimitrios Papachristos; Dimitrios Kontodimas, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Greece Theodore Kypraios, University of Nottingham, U.K.

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

Functional response models describe the relationship between prey density and per capita prey consumption rate by a predator. Holling’s modelling seminal approach, commonly known as the disc equation, has been the base upon which much of modern functional response theory has been developed. While examining the foraging cycle of individuals, Holling used two parameters in order to develop an improved explanation of their feeding behavior: the attack rate, i.e. the predation ability in low prey densities and the handling time, i.e. the time a predator spends pursuing, subduing, and eating its prey. However, the mechanistic basis of the disc equation has been challenged by the steady-state satiation (SSS) equation, a functional response model that presents a detailed examination of the fundamental process of predators’ feeding behavior, discriminating handling and digestion processes. The application of the SSS equation is underutilized so far in the ecological literature, probably due to its complexity relative to the simpler disc equation. Thus, there is only little available information on its viability and mechanistic basis. The aim of this study is to test

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the viability of the SSS equation adopting a Bayesian framework for estimating parameters in ordinary differential equation models, in order to quantify the uncertainty of the estimates in a coherent, probabilistic manner. For this purpose, we used data concerning short (3h) and long-term (24h) functional response experiments of Propylea quatuordecimpunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Our results provide evidence of the viability of the SSS equation which leads to an efficient estimation of the handling time parameter.

DIETARY EFFECTS ON THE REPRODUCTION AND DEMOGRAPHY OF AN APHIDOPHAGOUS LADYBIRD, HIPPODAMIA VARIEGATA

Ahmad Pervez, Radhey Hari Govt. P.G. College, Kashipur, India Aline de Holanda Nunes Maia, Embrapa Meio Ambiente , Brazil

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) is an aphidophagous ladybird with a promising aphid biocontrol potential. It is a eurytopic species with high abundance in aphid pest prevalent agro-ecosystems of North India. Knowledge on its prey types, predation performance and reproduction is prerequisite for its augmentative field releases for the aphid biocontrol. Hence, we investigate how the diets will affect its reproduction, predation and demographic parameters using six aphid species as diets, viz. Aphis gossypii (Glover), Aphis craccivora Koch, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Urolecucon compositae (Theobald) infested on Lagenaria vulgaris L., Dolichos lablab L., Brassica oleracea L, Brassicae campestris L., Solanum nigrum L. and Carthamus tinctorius L., respectively. All the six diets were essential foods, however, diet suitability was highly asymmetrical. Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora, and U. compositae were most suitable diets leading to high values of demographic parameters, especially intrinsic and finite rates of increase. Reproductive parameters, such as, fecundity, percent egg viability and oviposition period were optimal on A. gossypii as diet. The fecundity in relation with the reproductive age had a triangular function showing the increase in daily oviposition with the increase in reproductive age, which reached a peak and gradual declined. Fourth level of polynomial gave the best fit for aphid diets when mean reproductive age was regressed with mean eggs laid. Positive correlation occurred vis-a-vis fecundity, egg viability and oviposition period. Feeding on A. gossypii also resulted in highest voracity, food consumption index, growth rate

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and conversion efficiency in H. variegata. Considering the different parameters tested, the rank order of diets according to prey suitability was found to be A. gossypii > A. craccivora > U. compositae > B. brassicae > M. persicae > L. erysimi.

HIGH POPULATION GENETIC DIVERSITY WITHIN THE POTENTIAL BIOCONTROL AGENT EPHEDRUS PERSICAE (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE, APHIDIINAE)

Andjeljko Petrović; Korana Kocić, University of Belgrade, Serbia Katarina Kos, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Vladimir Žikić, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia Nickolas Kavallieratos, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece Željko Tomanović, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Ephedrus persicae is an extremely polyphagous aphid parasitoid, attacking more than 150 aphid hosts in all continents except Antarctica. Among aphid hosts of E. persicae, there are several economically very important aphids, i.e., Aphis craccivora, Aphis fabae, Aphis glycines, Aphis gossypii, Brachycaudus spp., Dysaphis spp., Myzus persicae, Toxoptera aurantii. Therefore, this species is a potential biocontrol agent that regulates numbers of aphids in natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Recently, E. persicae was successfully used to control Dysaphis plantaginea, in orchards by inundative release. The difficulties that observed with its introduction against aphids deal with biological, ecological and morphological differences among its different populations (e.g. some E. persicae populations enter larval diapause in late summer and winter; populations from different parts of the world differ in their mode of reproduction etc.). Here we used molecular markers to explore the genetic variability within Ephedrus persicae that originates from different aphid hosts and habitat types, through Europe and North Africa (Libya). High genetic variability among the E. persicae individuals were determined. All analysed specimens were grouped in two distinct phylogenetic clades. Clustering individuals into different phylogenetic clades is most probably driven by the aphid host’s ecology. All hosts from one clade are leaf-curling aphids (Myzus, Dysaphis and Brachycaudus) in orchards while aphid hosts from the second clade belong to the non leaf-curling aphids from the genus Aphis.

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APHIDS AND APHIDOPHAGA IN PUMPKIN FIELDS RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO MANAGEMENT, LOCAL AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES

Sonja Pfister; Jens Schirmel; Martin Entling, University Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau, Germany

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Introduction: Pest control by natural enemies is an important ecosystem service for agriculture. Natural enemies and aphid control can respond positively to landscape complexity. Methods: We investigated how landscape composition, field margin type and organic vs. conventional management influence the abundance of aphids and their enemies in 18 pumpkin fields in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany. The natural density of aphids and aphidophaga (Aphidiinae, Araneae, Cecidomyiidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Syrphidae) was measured by leaf counts six times between the end of May and the end of July 2014. Results: All aphidophaga, except lacewings, were positively related to the abundance of aphids. Compared to field-field situations, fields bordering herbaceous margins had higher densities of spiders and gall midges. Flower abundance in field margins enhanced in-field densities of lady beetles, lacewings and parasitic wasps. Aphid growth rates in June were higher in organic than in conventional fields, leading to significantly higher aphid abundances by the end of July. Therefore lady beetles and lacewings tended to be favoured by organic management as well. None of the aphidophaga showed significant responses to the cover of seminatural habitats in the surrounding landscape. Conclusions: We conclude that an interplay of field margin and management type influence aphid-enemy interactions in pumpkin fields, with surprisingly little influence of the wider landscape context.

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EFFECTS OF BIOFUEL PLANTINGS ON NATURAL ENEMIES AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SOYBEAN APHID

Milan Plećaš, University of Belgrade, Serbia & University of Minnesota, USA Julie A. Peterson, University of Nebraska, USA Joe M. Kaser; James O. Eckberg; Gregg A. Johnson; George E. Heimpel, University of Minnesota, USA

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION Fossil fuel consumption is increasing steadily and there is great incentive to increase the use of renewable energy sources, among which are second-generation biofuels. These biofuel crops can provide ecosystem services to surrounding food crops such as biological control of pest species. Since soybean aphid is the most important pest in soybeans in North America, great efforts are made to find way of controlling it without the excessive use of insecticides. We designed a strategy for the integration of bioenergy cropping systems that supports ecosystem services in soybean. The objectives were to assess abundance and diversity of natural enemies within and adjacent to biofuel plantings and to assess the abundance of soybean aphids in soybean fields adjacent to biofuel plantings. We hypothesized that soybean fields adjacent to biofuel plantings would have higher abundance of natural enemies and lower abundance of soybean aphids thus exhibiting greater biological control. The study was conducted in east-central Minnesota during three years in 16 soybean fields. The study included four treatments: herbaceous polyculture, willow, a polyculture- willow alley cropping configuration, and soybean monoculture, established in 300 m2 plots in the center of soybean fields. To quantify diversity and abundance of natural enemies within and adjacent to the treatments we used sweep net sampling and visual inspection. Contrary to our expectations, biological control of soybean aphid was not enhanced by the presence of biofuel plantings in soybean fields while groups of natural enemies responded differentially. This lack of an effect of biofuel treatments on biological control could be explained by combination of several factors such as the relatively small size of treatment plots, flowering dynamics of prairie plants, soybean field colonization order by aphids and natural enemies, and interactions of local and landscape complexity.

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FLORAL RESOURCES OF BIOENERGY CROPS AND POLLEN CONSUMPTION BY NATURAL ENEMIES OF SOYBEAN APHID

Milan Plećaš, University of Belgrade, Serbia & University of Minnesota, USA Amy N. Blumke, University of Minnesota, USA Julie A. Peterson, University of Nebraska, USA Joe M. Kaser; James O. Eckberg; Gregg A. Johnson; George E. Heimpel, University of Minnesota, USA

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The incorporation and expansion of second-generation biofuel crops in existing landscapes could provide an important source of alternative food for natural enemies of pest insects. This can support biological control of important aphid species, such as the soybean aphid in North America. Our objective was to examine the effect of bioenergy crops as an alternative food source (pollen) for key groups of natural enemies of the soybean aphid. The study was conducted in Minnesota during two years in eight soybean fields. The study included two treatments: herbaceous polyculture (Polyculture) and soybean monoculture (Control). The polyculture treatment was a mixture of native forbs and grasses developed to provide floral resources throughout the growing season. Samples were collected by capturing adult lady beetles, lacewings and hoverflies both within the treatment plots and in surrounding soybean fields. Pollen was extracted by using an acetolysis technique, identified to family and counted using a compound microscope. We found differences in pollen consumption between natural enemy groups. Lady beetles predominantly consumed Asteraceae pollen, lacewings Asteraceae but also to some extent Poaceae pollen while hoverflies had the most diverse diet consisting of Asteraceae, Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Brassicaeae and Fabaceae pollen. Lady beetle and lacewing pollen consumption in the Control treatment remained low throughout the season while in the Polyculture treatment it increased during mid to late season when the availability of flowers increased. Differences in pollen consumption between treatments for hoverflies were not as strong as for the other two groups but still showed a trend of increased consumption inside the Polyculture treatment. These results show that herbaceous biofuel plantings can be a source of alternative food for natural enemies but they also indicate the importance of selecting suitable flowering plants when establishing biofuel plantings for supporting specific groups of natural enemies.

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OENOPIA CONGLOBATA AS A CANDIDATE FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN URBAN GREEN AREAS: PREY ACCEPTANCE AND PREFERENCES

Belén Lumbierres; Xavier Pons, Universitat de Lleida, Spain

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

The ladybird Oenopia conglobata is a native species common in urban green areas of the Mediterranean basin. However, there is scarce information available about the predator. It has been recorded mainly preying on aphids and psyllids, but we observed it feeding on mealybugs and mites. This work aimed to obtain preliminary data about the feeding habits of the coccinellid. The success of the predator for pest control depends upon the willingness to consume the target prey. So, knowledge about the range of suitable prey (either essential or alternative) and feeding preferences may provide basic information about the potential of the ladybird as biological control agent in urban green areas. In a laboratory experiment we investigated the acceptability of seven aphid and one psyllid species as prey for the larvae and adults (males and females) of the coccinellid. The prey species used were the aphids Chaitophorus populeti on white poplar, Aphis gossypii on pomegranate, Aphis craccivora on false acacia, Monelliopsis caryae on black walnut, Eucallipterus tiliae on lime, Aphis nerii on oleander and the psyllid Acizzia jamatonica on Persian silk tree. These species are abundant in urban green areas in the region. In addition we tested Rhopalosiphum padi on barley, an aphid species easily reared in the laboratory. We also tested preferences of the predator in multichoice experiments with the most accepted aphid species and the psyllid. All the stages and genders of the coccinellid accepted all the preys offered, with a clear preference for M. caryae, while A. nerii was lower consumed than the other species. The predator also showed preference for the aphid M. caryae when it was offered in a cafeteria experiment with other aphid species or with the psyllid. The aphid R. padi obtained a good acceptability and could be used for rearing O. conglobata in laboratory.

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CURRENT STATUS OF THE INVADER HARMONIA AXYRIDIS IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Xavier Pons; Belén Lumbierres, Universitat de Lleida, Spain Éric Lucas, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

Although the invasive alien species Harmonia axyridis was released in Spain for aphid control in greenhouses in 1995, it did not establish. Despite several single specimen findings during summer in the Canary Islands (2003-2004) and Bilbao (North Spain, 2007), no evidence of population establishment has been reported until 2011. Since then, isolated individuals (adults and larvae) and also overwintering aggregations of the invasive coccinellid have been recorded in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. Until now, all the overwintering aggregations were localized in Catalonia. Since some of them were quite close to the Spain-France border, we assume that the coccinellid could have arrived from southern France. The number of overwintering aggregations reported has been increasing every year. The presence of H. axyridis has been mostly recorded from urban gardens, woods and riparian and ruderal zones, and only in two cases in crops (a citrus orchard and an artichoke garden orchard). In summer, isolated or small groups of individuals (mainly adults) have been reported in localities from Catalonia but also in other places of Spain. These findings indicate that H. axyridis is spreading from the northeast towards central and south areas of the country. In spite of some examples suggesting the lady beetle could have difficulties to colonize and establish in southern Mediterranean countries, it appears that the invading process is in progress in Spain and the establishment of the invader is now confirmed.

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VARYING EFFECTS OF SUPERPARASITISM ON BIOLOGICAL TRAITS BETWEEN THE SEXUAL AND ASEXUAL STRAINS OF AN APHID PARASITOID, LYSIPHLEBUS FABARUM (HYM.: BRACONIDAE: APHIDIINAE)

Arash Rasekh; Leila Mohseni; Farhan Kocheili, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, College of Agriculture, Iran

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Superparasitism may have fitness consequences for the parasitoid mother, but few studies have investigated fitness costs and benefits to the surviving individual in superparasitized as opposed to singly parasitized hosts, particularly the comparison between two strains of a parasitoid wasp. In this study, the effects of two levels of superparasitism (moderate and severe) were compared with those of single parasitism on the biological traits of host aphids (Aphis fabae Scopoli) and newly developing female wasps in the sexual and asexual strains of a parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall). The study revealed that surviving asexual individuals from severe superparasitized hosts were fitter relative to individuals that developed in singly parasitized aphids. Their developmental period was shorter and their body size (hind tibia length) and eggs were larger. In contrast, males and females emerging from the sexual strain had a longer developmental time and lower egg load in superparasitized aphids, relative to wasps emerging from singly parasitized hosts. Findings suggest that fitness trade-offs is significantly different between two strains, which is likely due to different interaction strategies between larval competitors in sexual and asexual strains.

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DETECTING AND EVALUATING PREDATION UPON APHIDS AND COCCINELLIDS IN LABORATORY AND FIELD CONDITIONS

Gabriele Rondoni, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy Saleh F. Fenjan, CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Valenzano, Italy Fulvio Ielo; Chiaraluce Moretti; Roberto Buonaurio; Carlo Ricci; Eric Conti, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major economically important pest of Cucurbitaceae, including melon. Ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), mostly Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata, may provide an efficient control over the population of this pest. Understanding their likelihood to predate upon aphids and engage in intraguild predation is crucial for conservation biological control. Our scope was to investigate, under laboratory and field conditions, the level of predation between the aphid and the two ladybird beetles. For laboratory bioassays, fourth-instars of the two species were isolated in petri dishes with combinations of different stages of the heterospecific ladybird and seven different densities of A. gossypii (range: 0 to 200 individuals). After six hours the number of aphids not yet eaten and the occurrence of intraguild predation was recorded. Predation upon aphids was considerably high at all considered aphid densities. Overall 70% of C. 7-punctata predated upon H. variegata, with preferences for eggs and young instars. Lower H. variegata (43%) predated upon C. 7-punctata. For field investigations, we conducted systematic surveys of predatory ladybirds in melon crop and collected specimens for molecular analysis of the gut-content. DNA extraction, species-specific primer design and their evaluation with feeding trials were conducted. Preliminary results reveal that overall 71% of screened C. 7-punctata vs. 61% of H. variegata tested positive to aphids. Intraguild predation level was higher upon H. variegata rather than upon C. 7-punctata.

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OLFACTORY CUES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE TOWARDS THE MOST COMPETITIVE AMONG TWO OVIPOSITING LADYBIRD BEETLES

Gabriele Rondoni; Fulvio Ielo; Valeria Bertoldi; Carlo Ricci; Eric Conti, Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

The optimal oviposition theory predicts that predatory females should lay their eggs accordingly with prey suitability that enhances the offspring survival and development. Aphidophagous ladybird species might exhibit differences in behaviour and ability to exploit habitats for oviposition. Those species that respond more readily to a suitable environment might confer to their offspring a competitive advantage over juveniles of other species. Here we tested the hypothesis that the invasive Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), as a very competitive species, makes a better use of the information from a plant-prey system compared to the native Oenopia conglobata. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays were conducted to test whether ovipositing females of the two abovementioned ladybird beetles use olfactory cues released from the Vicia faba - Aphis fabae system. Females of both ladybirds were significantly attracted by the aphid–plant complex when tested against healthy plants or clean air, although H. axyridis exhibited a higher response than O. conglobata. Females of H. axyridis were also attracted by plants from where aphids had been removed, while females of O. conglobata were not. Healthy plants plus aphids kept separate were not attractive for neither species. Plants from which the infested leaf had been removed prior to the bioassay suggested that H. axyridis is attracted also by systemic emission of synomones. In addition, the ovarian dynamics of the two species were investigated by measuring the entity of oocyte resorption when different stimuli were provided. H. axyridis exhibited a higher plasticity in resorption suggesting a higher ability to adapt to a changing environment. Overall our results support the hypothesis that H. axyridis is more reactive than O. conglobata to olfactory cues from the plant-prey system.

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HARMONIA AXYRIDIS: INSPIRING COLLABORATION AROUND THE WORLD

Helen Roy, NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, U.K

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA

The talk will give an overview on the global situation of invasion of this highly voracious aphid predator as a case study and highlight the importance of communication and collaboration in contributing to our understanding of invasion biology.

PREDATION OF SCHIZAPHIM GRAMINUM BY COCCINELLIDAE: WHO CONSUMES MORE, CYCLONEDA SANGUINEA, HARMONIA AXYRIDIS OR HIPPODAMIA CONVERGENS?

Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Brazil Laís da Conceição dos Santos; Sidnéia Terezinha Soares de Matos; Francisco Jorge Cividanes, UNESP, Brazil

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

The Asian ladybug, Harmonia axyridis is an efficient biological control agent of insect pests, but when it competes with other coccinellid species, it causes populational decrease. Comparative studies about its predatory capacity and reproductive aspects in relation to other aphidophagous predators are important. The potential of H. axyridis to prey Schizaphis graminum (sorghum aphid) in comparing to Cycloneda sanguinea and Hippodamia convergens was evaluated. Newly hatched larvae of each one of the species of Coccinellidae were individualized in Petri dishes of 19.0 cm. The predators were offered specific number of aphid nymphs superior to their consumption capacity. The number of prey consumed during each developmental stage of the ladybugs was determined. During larval phase H. axyridis preyed 1,578.0 aphids, while C. sanguinea and H. convergens consumed, respectively, 1,236.0 and 700.0 aphids. Harmonia axyridis was the most voracious because its consumed prey was 57.6% more than H. convergens, and 21.7% greater than C. sanguinea.

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POPULATIONAL FLUCTUATION OF DIAPHORINA CITRI AND COCCINELLIDAE IN CITRUS ORCHARD IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION OF SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes , Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Brazil Karen Pereira da Silva, APTA, Brazil Francisco Jorge Cividanes; Sidnéia Terezinha Soares de Matos; Alex Antonio Ribeiro, UNESP, Brazil

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

Several species of Coccinellidae (ladybugs) are common in the citrus orchards in Brazil. The action of these coleopterans in the biological control of Diaphorina citri psyllid has been researched. In the present work the populational fluctuation of D. citri and coccinellids predators on citrus orchards was studied. The research was developed from June/2014 to December/2015 in an orchard with conventional management (monthly application of agrotoxics) located in Taquaritinga, and another orchard with organic management located in Jaboticabal municipality, São Paulo state, Brazil. The samplings were done biweekly, examining 10 plants in each orchard. During each evaluation, two shoots 10.0 cm long were cut off from each plant and posteriorly examined in the laboratory to determine the occurrence of immature psyllids and ladybugs. One other type of sampling consisted of visual examination of the tree canopy to register the occurrence of the ladybugs. These natural enemies were captured in glass vials of 8.0 x 2.5 cm. The population peak of D. citri occurred during Spring and Summer. From June/2014 until December/2015 in Taquaritinga, 97 specimens of adult coccinellids were captured. Coccidophilus citricola was the most common species, followed by Cycloneda sanguinea and Pentilia egena. In Jaboticabal, the diversity of coccinellids was greater; 194.0 adults, 90.0 eggs, 52 larvae and 11.0 pupae were captured. Among the coccinellids adult, C. citricola was the most frequent species, followed by H. axyridis, Azya luteipes, C. sanguinea, P. egena and Hippodamia convergens. The correlation analysis between larvae of H. axyridis and nymphs of D. citri was significant and positive. The population increase of this ladybug species causes decrease in the psyllid population.

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EFFECT OF SCORPION ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES ON BACTERIAL SYMBIONTS OF APHIDS

Marisa Skaljac; Karen Luna; Phillipp Kirfel; Andreas Vilcinskas, Fraunhofer IME, Bioresources Project Group, Giessen, Germany

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Aphids are notorious agricultural pests. They have enormous reproductive potential and cause damage to numerous crops by feeding on the phloem sap and vectoring plant viruses. Chemical insecticides are an important control strategy against aphids, however their frequent application leads to resistance, and contamination of the environment and health risk for humans. Aphids live in symbiosis with several bacteria. These bacteria are essential for aphid’s survival and their better adaptation to the environment. Scorpions developed over millions years of evolution potent and specific anti-insect and antimicrobial (AMPs) compounds. We assumed that scorpion AMPs might be highly effective in disrupting aphid‘s symbiotic relationship with their beneficial bacteria. Aim of this research was to disrupt and eliminate bacterial symbionts of pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)) by feeding with scorpion AMPs and therefore reduce aphid fitness. Scorpion AMPs drastically reduced aphid survival. They delayed aphid reproduction and inhibited growth of bacterial symbionts of aphids. These results show that scorpion AMPs hold potential to be developed as biodegradable insecticides and could be deployed through bioengineering of host plants or symbiotic bacteria.

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ROLE OF PLANT STATURE IN DETERMINING HABITAT PREFERENCES OF COCCINELLID SPECIES

Jiri Skuhrovec; Zdenka Martinkova; Jan Lukas; Anthony F. G. Dixon; Pavel Saska Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

Communities of lady-beetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) differ greatly in the plants they colonize. This knowledge is easy to collect and well documented. The differences originate because species of coccinellids differ in their tolerance of differences in prey abundance and quality, and preference for particular microclimates and plants of a particular size. The available knowledge on distribution of coccinellid communities indicates that the last-mentioned factor, habitat selection, is important. However, this still remains to be demonstrated. The composition of coccinellid communities and abundance of species were recorded on broadleaved trees, dicotyledoneous weedy herbaceous plants and crops. The association of particular coccinellid species with particular types of plants differ markedly and less clearly with variation in aphid abundance and microclimate in particular stands of plants. Based on data on native species of coccinellids a hypothesis is presented that predicts that their association with plants of a particular size is determined by an interaction between plant architecture and its effect on prey distribution, and predator mobility. The prediction is tested using data on distribution of a recently arrived invasive species Harmonia axyridis, which occurs mainly on trees, occasionally on herbaceous plants and rarely on crops

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HARMONIA AXYRIDIS: SMELLING THE RAT IN NATIVE LADYBIRD DECLINES.

John J. Sloggett, Maastricht University, The Netherlands

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: ORAL PRESENTATION

The invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis is considered a threat to a diversity of native aphidophagous coccinellids through competitive and predatory effects. I here discuss this threat using two specific examples. I look first at the case of H. axyridis and specialist ladybirds, and then at the undoubted decline that has been observed in the generalist Adalia bipunctata in Europe. In both examples, I suggest that the problem is likely overstated, and a better understanding of how ladybird species respond to aphid prey density could alter our perspective on such issues.

OLDER MALE LADYBIRDS: SEXUALLY DESPERATE OR JUST WORN OUT?

John J. Sloggett; Ioanna Bourtzi; Linda S. Groenendijk; Tara A. Hadtstein; Maaike P. Trân; Leonardo Veglia, Maastricht University, The Netherlands

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: POSTER

The Residual Reproductive Value (RRV) hypothesis states that because they do not have long to live, older males have a low likelihood of future reproduction and are therefore highly motivated to mate when opportunities present themselves. We investigated this idea in the field and laboratory using a Dutch population of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis, a species in which multiple generations coexist at the same time. Our results are presented here and discussed in relation to the RRV hypothesis: are old males highly sexed or just unable to sum up the energy?

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THE INFLUENCE OF LYSIPHLEBUS TESTACEIPES AN INTRODUCED SPECIES ON THE AUTOCHTHONOUS APHIDIINAE PARASITOIDS (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) IN BALKANS

Saša Stanković; Marijana Ilić Milošević; Vladimir Žikić Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson 1880) was introduced from Cuba to the Mediterranean part of France in 1973 for the control of citrus aphids. It has spread throughout the Mediterranean, but also deeper inland of Europe manifesting an aggressive host range pattern. Since it was registered on the Balkan Peninsula deep inland, the influence on the autochthonous fauna have not been studied yet. The aim was to test how L. testaceipes affects autochthonous aphidiine species on the Balkan Peninsula. Data matrix was composed of two sample groups, each with the same aphid hosts. In the first group, L. testaceipes was present in each sample along with other parasitoids; the other group included samples where L. testaceipes was not found. To assess qualitative and quantitative structure of parasitoids composition four diversity indices were used (Species richness; Abundance; Shannon– Wiener; Simpson). The presence of L. testaceipes altered the composition of parasitoid species in the analyzed dataset (Mann–Whitney p<0.001). The number of parasitoid species as well as the number of specimens per sample significantly increased in assembly with L. testaceipes. The Mann–Whitney test revealed that the most prominent changes in the qualitative and quantitative structure of parasitoids happened in Aphis fabae host, the most frequent host in the data matrix. The structural changes of the parasitoids assembly in A. fabae were visualized with nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). In this two- dimensional plot, a clear tendency of grouping is evident, governed by the presence of L. testaceipes and confirmed using the distance-based permutational multivariate analysis of variance test (PERMANOVA; (pseudo-f = 12.839; p = 0.001)). The indicator species analysis (IndVal) showed five potential competitor species, which significantly changed their frequency and occurrence after the introduction of L. testaceipes. The introduction of L. testaceipes is relatively harmless for the autochthonous fauna of aphid parasitoids.

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PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF LYSIPHLEBUS FOERSTER (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE: APHIDIINAE) ON THE BASIS OF MOLECULAR DATA

Željko Tomanović, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Serbia Milana Mitrović, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia Andjeljko Petrović, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Serbia Vladimir Žikić, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia Nickolas Kavallieratos, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece Ehsan Rakhshani, University of Zabol, Iran Petr Starý, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Czech Republic Christoph Vorburger, Eawag & ETH Zürich, Switzerland

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

Lysiphlebus Foerster is a medium-sized genus that includes over 30 endoparasitoid species which parasitize numerous aphid host species of both economic or non-economic importance. prevailingly in the northern hemisphere. On the basis of existing knowledge about Lysiphlebus taxonomy and using available morphological and molecular analyses,we have recognized two species groups, i.e., “fabarum” and “testaceipes”, within this genus. Species with uniparental reproduction are present in both species groups and affect their taxonomic status. In the present study, we used sequences of the D2 domain of 28SrRNA and the barcoding region of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene for phylogenetic analysis of 11 Lysiphlebus parasitoid species, including several species which have not been studied till now with molecular tools: “fabarum” group - L. fabarum, L. cardui, L. confusus, L. hirticornis, L. brachycaudi (nomen nudum), “testaceipes“ group - L. testaceipes, L. orientalis, L. fritzmuelleri, L. balcanicus, L. desertorum and L. alpinus. For amplification of the COI and 28SD2 genes, we used LCO1490/HCO2198 and 28SD2f/r primers, respectively. Comparison of a mitochondrial and a nuclear gene confirmed the existence of a “fabarum” and “testaceipes“ group, but L. alpinus surprisingly appeared as a separate phyletic lineage. Comparison of 184 COI sequences 558 bp in length showed an average divergence of 7,1% was determined between “fabarum“ and “testaceipes“ groups. With 100% bootstrap support, L. alpinus clustered as a separate taxon with a mean genetic distance of 6.9% compared with the “fabarum“ group and 8.4% compared with the “testaceipes“ group. However, one of the most interesting findings is the separation of two clearly divergent “fabarum“ s.str. groups. Both of them include sexual and asexual fabarum-confusus-cardui phenotypes, which prejudice a morphological concept of the species/phenotypes provided. Further research need for providing reliable phylogenetics position whole genus and taxonomic status separate species.

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APHID PARASITOIDS (AND COCCINELLIDS?) PROTECT THEIR OFFSPRING AGAINST PLANT TOXINS.

Helmut van Emden, University of Reading, U.K.

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Using an artificial diet to rear Aphidius colemani Viereck on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has shown that chemical cues from the host plant re left in or on the eggs at oviposition. These cues are cultivar-specific, suggesting that they must be the full spectrum of that sprout cultivar’s secondary chemistry (i.e. glucosinolates for Brussels sprouts). Very few mummies are obtained when A. colemani reared on diet are released onto sprout plants with M. persicae. This is due to mortality of the offspring within the aphid host; mummy production is normal when parasitoids reared on diet parasitise aphids on diet, which of course contains no toxic glucosinolates. The induction of detoxifying enzymes by the glucosinolate “cue” was mimicked by adding increasing concentrations of a glucosinolate (sinigrin) to a glucosinolate-free artificial diet, and assessing the mortality of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella plutellae (L.)) larvae to a discriminatory dose of the insecticide cypermethrin. To test this with an aphid parasitoid, we used the aphid Metapolophium dirhodum (Walker) and the parasitoid Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani Perez on wheat. Unlike in brassicas cultivars, the concentration of secondary compounds in wheat contributing to resistance to aphids can cover a wider range than in brassicas for human consumption. Bioassay with malathion showed that the parasitoids emerging on the partially aphid-resistant wheat cultivar ‘Rapier’ were 6 times more tolerant to the insecticide than those emerging from the susceptible ‘Huntsman’. When the same bioassay was carried out with 3rd instar Coccinella septempunctata L. larvae from ‘Rapier’, the increase in tolerance to malathion was 40-fold. Do ladybirds immunize their offspring against plant toxins in the same way as do parasitoids?

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NDIRECT (“NON-CONSUMPTIVE MORTALITY”) OF APHIDS RESULTING FROM PARASITOIDS, AND ITS MAGNIFICATION BY PARTIAL PLANT RESISTANCE.

Helmut van Emden; Graeme Gowling, University of Reading, U.K.

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

In the population dynamics of aphids, the indirect (“non-consumptive”) mortality from natural enemies is often overlooked, yet it can be significant. Glasshouse experiments with Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) on wheat in the presence and absence of the parasitoid Aphidius rhopalosiphi DeStefani-Perez showed that, although some aphids fell of the plant in the absence of parasitoids, falling increased in their presence. Many fallen aphids never returned to the plant. Moreover, falling was significantly greater with a partially resistant wheat cultivar. Some fallen aphids mummified on the soil; mummy counts on plants are therefore likely to underestimate parasitization. In the field, we could replicate the effect of partial plant resistance in increasing numbers of aphids falling with Brevicoryne brassicae (L.); there would have been natural enemy activity on both the susceptible and the partially resistant Brussels sprout cultivar; it was not possible to have plants free of natural enemies for comparison.

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NEW INSIGHTS IN THE MATING BEHAVIOR AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE GALL MIDGE APHIDOLETES APHIDIMYZA

Jeroen van Schelt; Hans Hoogerbrugge; Jolein Smit, Koppert, The Netherlands

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

The larvae of the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza are a key component in the control of aphids in protected crops. As adults are only active during the night for mating and egg laying, important aspects in their practical application are easily overlooked. To improve their efficiency, we studied the influence of low night temperatures on egg laying and the influence of low light intensities on mating of adult midges during the night. At a commercial pepper grower a new way of biocontrol of aphids was studied, by introducing A. aphidimyza preventively every two weeks at a rate of 2 /m 2. Their dispersal and impact was monitored by placing small sentinel banker plants (wheat infected with Sitobion avenae) in the greenhouse. The greenhouse was free from aphids for more than 4 months, and a small outbreak of Myzus persicae was easily controlled. Practical implications for the integrated control of pests in pepper will be discussed.

MICROORGANISMS AND SEMIOCHEMICALS TO MANIPULATE APHIDOPHAGOUS PREDATORS

François J Verheggen, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, Belgium

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY

Semiochemicals provide a powerful way for organisms to communicate and coordinate their behaviors. But they also represent opportunities for other organisms to intercept and exploit such signals. There are now numerous examples of natural enemies eavesdropping the intraspecific communication of their prey to better locate them. Aphid natural enemies, including predators and parasitoids, frequently exhibit innate responses to chemical cues reliably associated with aphids, and there is also abundant evidence that learning of profitable chemical cues frequently occurs. Thenceforth, the efficiency of aphid natural

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enemies to locate their prey is mainly based on their ability to perceive and orientate toward aphid-associated semiochemicals. Aphid predators were shown to respond to different groups of aphid-related semiochemicals, including aphid-induced plant volatiles; aphid pheromones and the more recently identified bacteria-produced honeydew volatiles. These laboratory studies suggest potentially promising avenues for the deployment of aphid-associated semiochemicals for the management of these pest species. While laboratory experiments are invaluable tools for revealing mechanisms, additional field studies are however needed to test ecological relevance of the observed effects. Although it is now possible to attract naturally occurring aphid predators in a crop field using semiochemicals, future work should more fully explore the broader ecological context in which signaling occurs. The information gained from a deeper understanding of the chemical ecology of aphid- natural enemy interaction will enhance our understanding of the chemical biology and ecology of aphids, and may facilitate the design of novel control strategies.

GENES MATTER AS WELL: PARASITOID SPECIES OR ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGAL STRAINS DIFFERENTLY INTERACT WITH BACTERIAL SECONDARY SYMBIONTS OF SITOBION AVENAE CLONES

Stefan Vidal; Sajjad Ali; Aamir Iqbal, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany

BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Background: Bacterial secondary symbionts (BSS) are known to confer resistance to their hosts against biotic (natural enemies, entomopathogenic fungi) and abiotic (temperature) stress. Wheat aphids, Sitobion avenae (F.), harbour the bacterial secondary symbionts Hamiltonella defensa and Regiella insecticola. Parasitoids are able to detect the presence of BSSs in their hosts during either host feeding or oviposition. Methods: We established two genetically different wheat aphid clones (numbered 5 and 7), either harbouring or devoid of H. defensa and R. insecticola, respectively, by curing them with antibiotics via a micro-injection technique. We then tested, whether host feeding by Aphelinus abdominalis, parasitism by Aphidius rhophalosiphi (in no choice and choice tests) or susceptibility to entomopathogenic fungal isolates differs with regard to mortality rates.

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Results: Both BSS species conferred significant resistance against host feeding by Aphelinus abdominalis in both choice and no choice tests. In choice tests A. abdominalis exhibited a host preference in host feeding towards uninfected S. avenae clones. A clonal preference in host feeding was also observed when A. abdominalis was exposed to genetically different clones. H. defensa significantly conferred resistance to A. rhophalosiphi parasitism, whereas R. insecticola did only slightly influence the behaviour of this parasitoid species. Both parasitoids species did not horizontally transmit the BSSs. Both Beauveria bassiana as well as Metarhizium brunneum were able to infest both aphid clones, but mortality significantly increased when aphids were cured from BSSs. Again, the genetic background of the clones also influenced the outcome of these interactions. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we corroborate previous findings on the role of BSSs on fitness parameters of aphids; however, we also emphasize the role of the genetic background of aphid clones, differing in their impact and outcome to these interactions.

IMMUNITY AND PATHOGENS CONTRIBUTE TO THE INVASIVE SUCCESS OF THE APHIDOPHAGOUS LADYBIRD HARMONIA AXYRIDIS

Andreas Vilcinskas, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Dep. Bioresources, Giessen, Germany

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SESSION: PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL

The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis has emerged as a model for testing hypotheses explaining why some species perform as successful invaders while others, even closely related ones, do not. It has become an invasive species upon its introduction as a biological control agent and its spread e.g. in Britain is associated with the decline of native ladybirds such as the two-spotted ladybird Adalia bipuncata. H. axyridis carries a high load of microsporidia which are harmless for this invasive vector but which can infect and kill native ladybirds such as A. bipunctata when they feed on eggs or larvae of the invader (1,2). Co- introduced pathogens are therefore postulated to assist the invasive performance of H. axyridis via intraguild predation (3). Our observations raise the question how can H. axyridis tolerate its parasite cargo?

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Invasive species have to cope with pathogens and parasites in the newly colonized habitats to which they are not adapted via coevolution. Successful overcoming of encountered native pathogens requires a superior immune system. Our studies show that H. axyridis is protected by a bi-layered immune system (4). The constitutively present alkaloid harmonine displays potent activity against pathogens and parasites, even infective agents of human diseases, and is therefore used as a template for the development of novel anti-infectives (5). On the other hand, we established a comprehensive transcriptomic database in which we discovered more than fifty genes encoding putative antimicrobial peptides among which some have been demonstrated to exhibit potent activity against bacteria and fungi (6). To date, H. axyridis represents the animal with the highest reported number of antimicrobial peptides. We postulate that the remarkably diversified spectrum of antimicrobial peptides and/or harmonine mediate its resistance against both its associated microsporidia and pathogen or parasites encountered in successfully colonized habitats (2,3,7). References: 1. Vilcinskas, A., K. Stoecker, H. Schmidtberg, C.R. Röhrich & H. Vogel 2013: Invasive harlequin ladybird carries biological weapons against native competitors. Science 340 (6134), 862-863. 2. Vilcinskas A. 2015: Pathogens as biological weapons of invasive species. PLoS Pathogens 11(4): e1004714 3. Vilcinskas, A., H. Schmidtberg, A. Estoup, A. Tayeh & H. Vogel 2015: Evolutionary ecology of microsporidia associated with the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Insect Science 22, 313-324. 4. Schmidtberg, H., C.R. Röhrich, H. Vogel & A. Vilcinskas 2013: A switch from constitutive chemical defense to inducible innate immune responses in the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Biology Letters 9, 20130006 5. Röhrich, R., C. J. Ngwa, J. Wiesner, H. Schmidtberg, T. Degenkolb. R. Fischer, G. Pradel & A. Vilcinskas 2012: Harmonine, a defense compound from the harlequin ladybird, inhibits mycobacterial growth and demonstrates multi-stage anti-malarial activity. Biology Letters 8, 308-311. 6. Vilcinskas, A., K. Mukherjee & H. Vogel 2013: Expansion of the antimicrobial peptide repertoire in the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 280 (1750), 20122113. 7. Beckert, A., J. Wiesner, A. Baumann, A.-K. Pöppel, H. Vogel & A. Vilcinskas 2015: Two c-type lysozymes boost the innate immune system of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 49, 303-312.

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SYMBIONTS MEDIATE APHID-PARASITOID COEVOLUTION

Christoph Vorburger, EAWAG & ETH Zurich, Switzerland

KEYNOTE SPEAKER SESSION: PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL

When exploiting their aphid hosts, parasitoids are frequently faced with two lines of defenses: the aphids‘ immune defenses as well as defenses conferred by heritable bacterial endosymbionts. This talk will summarize work showing that defensive symbionts of aphids are able to alter the reciprocal selection between hosts and parasitoids and thereby mediate their coevolution, and it will present our first attempts to investigate parasitoids counteradaptation to symbiont-conferred resistance in aphids.

THE ARTHROPOD FAUNA OF HOP CONES, WITH SPECIFIC CONSIDERATION OF THE NEUROPTERA

Florian Weihrauch, Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Freising, Germany

PREDATORS AND BIOCONTROL: POSTER

From 2008 to 2010 the arthropods colonising hop (Humulus lupulus) cones were monitored in 60 hop gardens of 27 farms in the Bavarian ‘Hallertau’ growing region. A novel extraction method was developed for monitoring aphids and other arthropods in hop cones. By the use of modified Berlese funnels, arthropods were driven from the samples and identified and counted exactly. A total of 1,174 samples, each comprising 100 green hop cones, were taken from field plots (both treated and untreated with insecticide). Over the three year project, the total catch of 159,348 arthropods was dominated by damson-hop aphid Phorodon humuli (71 %) and Thysanoptera (25 %). The beneficials accounted for only 2.3 % of the total catch and their average number per sample ranged from 2.44 to 4.42 individuals. The rest of the catch (1.7%) consisted of other arthropod pests and indifferent species. The 3,732 individual predators belonged predominantly to six insect families in the following proportions: Anthocoridae, adults and larvae, 73.8 %; Cecidomyiidae, larvae,

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10.7 %; Syrphidae, larvae, 5.1 %; Hemerobiidae, larvae, 3.8 %; Chrysopidae, larvae, 2.4 %; and Coccinellidae, larvae with few adults, 2.3 %. The 230 individuals belonging to the two Neuroptera families (Chrysopidae, 38.7 %, and Hemerobiidae, 61.3 %), every year accounted for about 6 % of all predators. The Chrysopidae found were exclusively Chrysoperla spp., whereas the Hemerobiidae were represented primarily by the genera Hemerobius, Micromus, and Wesmaelius. The species Chrysoperla carnea s.str., Hemerobius humulinus, H. lutescens, Micromus variegatus, Wesmaelius nervosus and W. subnebulosus are regarded as the most important Neuroptera in hop cones. The highest proportion of beneficials found was of Anthocoridae (73.8%) and this is best explained by their flat bodies permitting them to hunt their prey deep inside the hop cone between the bracts, which grow overlapping each other closely leaving only narrow spaces in between.

APHID-PREDATOR INTERACTIONS UNRAVELLED USING THE ZNOSE TECHNOLOGY

Wolfgang W. Weisser; Christoph Joachim, Technische Universität München, Germany

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

In many prey, elaborate alarm communication is used to reduce an imminent risk of predation. To study costs and benefits of such alarm signals it is mandatory to link alarm signalling to prey and predator behaviour. For chemical alarm signalling such analysis has been hindered by the availability of real-time analysis techniques. In a novel approach we directly compare real-time alarm signal emission dynamics, measured by rapid gas-chromatography, with predator-prey behavioural observations, using aphids as a model organism. When attacked, the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum emits cornicle droplets containing the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene (EBF) that causes escape reactions in conspecifics. Our analysis reveals the following details of the interaction between predator and prey: 1) alarm pheromone emission almost exclusively occurs when an aphid is lethally attacked, thus providing reliable information about an increased risk of predation, 2) aphid colony members respond to an increase in EBF headspace concentrations rather than to the absolute value, 3) colony escape responses stop due to habituation to EBF, not due to the disappearance of EBF from the headspace.

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We conclude that combining live behavioural observations with real-time headspace measurements is a promising approach to fathom chemical alarm communication and underlying chemically-mediated predator-prey interactions

ALIEN COCCINELLIDAE SPECIES IN RUSSIA AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES

Ilia Zakharov-Gezekhus, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia Marina Orlova-Bienkowskaja, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russia

SPECIAL SESSION: INVASIVE APHIDOPHAGA: POSTER

More than 20 species of Coccinellidae were introduced for pest control in the former Soviet Union. Six of them have established. (1) Harmonia axyridis from the Far East was released for control of aphids in Georgia, the Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. In spite of massive releases since 1927 the species was thought to be not established before 2002. Now it established all over the Ukraine and Moldova, in the west of Belarus and in many regions of European Russia: Kaliningrad, Rostov, Krasnodar and Stavropol regions, Adygea, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and the Crimea. Individual adults are also found in Belgorod, Lipetsk and Moscow regions. (2) Chilocorus bijugus was introduced from India to Georgia in 1973 to control Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and established near Batumi. (3) Cryptolaemus montrouzieri native for Australia was released to control Pseudococcidae and Coccidae many times from 1933 in different regions, but thought to be not established. In 2011 and 2012 established populations were found in the south of Russia (Sochi) and Abkhazia. (4) Lindorus lophantae native to Australia and New Zealand was released for control of Diaspididae in 1948 in different regions of Georgia, in Crimea and Sochi (south Russia). Established population was detected in Batumi (Georgia). (5) Rodolia cardinalis native to Australia was released to control Icerya purchase in Georgia and Azerbaijan (many releases since 1932) and established in the Black Sea shore of the Caucasus. Current state of population is unknown. (6) Serangium parcesetosum native to India was released in 1973 in Georgia, Abkhazia, Azerbaijan and south Russia (Sochi) to control Dialeurodes citri (Aleyrodidae). S. parcesetosum established and began to spread spontaneously.

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NEW ASPECTS OF HOST RANGE PATTERNING OF APHIDIINAE PARASITOIDS (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE)

Vladimir Žikić; Maja Lazarević; Djuradj Milošević, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

Introduction: Aphidiinae are usually considered through parasitoid/aphid/plant trophic chains thus revealing a lot of the important information for many plant protection projects. Parasitoid wasps exhibit different host range showing different levels of their host specificity. Knowledge of this topic can be very important information regarding Aphidiinae biological control programs which have been used worldwide. Here we present a new approach to aphid parasitoid host specificity using the Kohonen unsupervised artificial neural network, also called self-organizing map (SOM). Methods: The artificial neural network visualization was performed on qualitative and quantitative data of hosts and plants, as well as on information regarding parasitoid phylogeny and geographical distribution. All these parameters influenced the specific ordinational pattern of parasitoids, between and among five a posteriory selected groups. Results: We analysed all valid species in the world fauna (505) from 38 genera. The results showed that 225 species belong to the group of specialists, consisting of monophagous parasitoids (sensu stricto) that attack only one aphid species. This group represents about half of the analysed data matrix. The group of generalists assembled 58 species with mainly Palaearctic distribution. Three categories of oligophagous species emerged between specialists and generalists, which are characterized as narrow, moderate and broad oligophagous groups. Conclusion: Host specificity in Aphidiinae mainly depends on aphid host’s biology which follows plant distribution in general, and it is weakly connected with parasitoids phylogeny. Finally, it seems that the parallel evolution of aphidiines have occurred in many tribes/ subtribes.

09 | ABSTRACTS

SURVEY OF NATURAL ENEMIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF APHIDIUS TRANSCASPICUS TELENGA (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE: APHIDIINAE) ON THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE MEALY APHID HYALOPTERUS AMYGDALI BLANCHARD (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) IN A TUNISIAN ORGANIC ALMOND ORCHARD

Sana Zouari; Lassaad Mdellel; Rihem Adouani; Monia Ben Halima Kamel, University of Sousse, Tunesia

PARASITOIDS AND BIOCONTROL: ORAL PRESENTATION

This study consists on following the dynamics of Hyalopterus amygdali populations and its natural enemies as well as the pursuit of effectiveness of the parasitoid Aphidius transcaspicus. It was conducted during two years and under different conditions in order to analyze the dispersion of our biological control agent in an organic almond orchard through releases on trees. Moreover, we noticed the presence of diverse predators such as ladybirds (Coccinella algerica) which are the most abundant and persist even after the disappearance of aphid colonies and later on we find lacewings, syrphids and cecidomyidae. The releases at almond trees have shown that A. transcaspicus could not spot the colonies of its host present at the edges and those introduced on sentinel plants (Phragmites communis). However, releases directly on sentinel plants showed an installation of this parasitoid in the aphids’ populations with a low rate of parasitism (0.04). These observations led to conclude that this parasitoid is a bad flying insect and exhibits a limited dispersion. Furthermore, efficiency of this parasitoid is displayed under covered branches with highest rates of parasitism and emergence which are respectively 0.65 and 0.39 in presence of one parasitoid couple per infested branch.

09 | ABSTRACTS

PLANT CHEMOTYPE MEDIATES APHID-ANT-NATURAL ENEMY INTERACTIONS IN A METACOMMUNITY SYSTEM

Sharon Zytynska; Matthias Senft, Technical University of Munich, Germany Mary Clancy; Jörg-Peter Schnitzler, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany Wolfgang W. Weisser, Technical University of Munich, Germany

SPECIAL SESSION: CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: ORAL PRESENTATION

Metacommunities are characterised by frequent extinction and colonisation events, which are driven by locally unstable but regionally stable predator-prey interactions and further exasperated by limited dispersal between patches. Current metacommunity theories are only weakly supported by empirical research, with the traditional paradigms often ignoring patch variation or host-preference effects. Plant-aphid metacommunities are ideal model systems for studying metacommunity dynamics, with each individual host plant acting as a patch within a matrix of unsuitable habitat. This is particularly true for more specialised herbivores, where the range and spatial distribution of the host-plant will have a stronger effect on the metacommunity dynamics. An example of such a system are aphids specialising on the host plant tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and their associated natural enemies. This plant species contains many essential oils, leading to a large variation in chemical profiles (chemotype) of the plants even within a single field site. Such variation in the plants can drive differences in aphid colony persistence directly through changes in aphid performance or preference, and indirectly by changing natural enemy abundance. We present data showing that phenotypic and chemical variation in the plant can influence aphid colonisation, colony growth and persistence. In addition, we found that plant chemical variation can mediate interactions between the aphids and other interacting species, such as ants and parasitoids. We discuss the bottom-up effects of plant chemotype, and top-down effects of natural enemies, on aphid population dynamics and genetics in this metacommunity system.

10 | COMMITTEES AND HELPERS

Steering Committee

Dr. J.P. Michaud, Kansas State University, USA, Chair of Ecology of Aphidophaga Working Group Dr. Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece Dr. Kris Giles, Oklahoma State University, USA Dr. Željko Tomanovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia Prof. Dr. Wolfgang W. Weisser, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Local Organizing Committee

Dr. Sharon Zytynska, Technical University of Munich, Germany Dr. Werner Heitland, Technical University of Munich, Germany Brigitte Grimm, Technical University of Munich, Germany Sarah Sturm, Technical University of Munich, Germany Claudia Seilwinder, Technical University of Munich, Germany Prof. Dr. Wolfgang W. Weisser, Technical University of Munich, Germany

IT Manager

Werner Heitland, Sven Thiel

10 | COMMITEES AND HELPERS

Conference helpers

Beate Apfelbeck Jasmin Bartetzko Inken Dörfler Petra Freynhagen Jan Habel Lionel Hertzog Florian Lauer Jan Leidinger Benjamin Leroy Guangjuan Luo Marco Lutz Sebastian Meyer Maximilian Mühlbauer Monika Plaga Rebecca Rogers Matthias Senft Nadja Simons Akanksha Singh

Design

Sonja Weber | circulars, web page Sarah Sturm | web page Laura Maniak | logo, broschure

11 | INDEX

A Abed, Sanaa 11, 27 Dumont, François 56 Adouani, Rihem 51, 92 Duran Prieto, Juliana 31 Alhmedi, Ammar 14, 28 Ali, Abid 12 E Ali, Sajjad 85 Ebrahimi, Saeid 26 Arif, Muhammad Jalal 29 Eckberg, James O. 68, 69 Athanasiadis, Konstantinos 37 Eduardo de la Peña 10, 40 Aubry, Olivier 15, 30 Elliott, Norman 42, 48 B Entling, Martin 67 Barbosa, Paulo 61 F Battaglia, Donatella 13, 14, 31, 32 Faheem, Muhammad 29 Beetge, Lezel 52 Falabella, Patrizia 32 Beliën, Tim 28 Fanti, Paolo 31 Bertoldi, Valeria 74 Fenjan, Saleh F. 73 Bloemhard, Chantal M.J. 60 Fiedler, Lukáš 13, 41 Blumke, Amy N. 69 Forlano, Pierluigi 31, 32 Bodson, Bernard 35 Fournier, Marc 58 Boullis, Antoine 9, 15, 33, 35 Fowler, Mike 27 Bourtzi, Ioanna 79 Francis, Frédéric 33 Broufas, George 15 Francoeur, Ymilie 58 Bruce, Toby JA 10, 34 Furtwengler, Jana 44 Bucher, Roman 13, 38 Buitenhuis, Rose 54 G Buonaurio, Roberto 73 Bylemans, Dany 28 Giles, Kristopher 10, 42, 48, 49, 94 Gowling, Graeme 83 C Griffin, John 27 Grimm, Brigitte 94 Chen, Julian 35 Groenendijk, Linda S. 79 Chouinard, Gerald 30 Cividanes, Francisco Jorge 75, 76 H Clancy, Mary 93 Conti, Eric 73, 74 Hadtstein, Tara A. 79 Cormier, Daniel 30 Hagler, James 49 Cottrell, Ted 14, 39 Hartbauer, Manfred 62 Heimpel, George E. 10, 43, 68, 69 D Heitland, Werner 94 Henry, Charles S. 37 da Conceição dos Santos, Laís 75 Herz, Annette 9, 12, 14, 44, 45 de la Peña, Eduardo 10, 40 Heuskin, Stephanie 33 Delor, Jeanne 36 Honek, Alois 11, 13, 46 de Matos, Sidnéia Terezinha Soares 75, 76 Hoogerbrugge, Hans 84 Desneux, Nicolas 63 Dixon, Anthony F. G. 46, 78 Duelli, Peter 37

11 | INDEX

I Ielo, Fulvio 73, 74 Lukas, Jan 78 Ilić Milošević, Marijana 14, 47, 80 Lumbierres, Belén 70, 71 Iqbal, Aamir 85 Luna, Karen 77 J M Jackson, Kelly A. 55 Maia, Aline de Holanda Nunes 65 Jacques, Josep A. 9 Maisonhaute, Julie-Éléonore 59 Jalal Arif, Muhammad 29 Martinkova, Zdenka 46, 78 Jandricic, Sarah 54 Matray, Silvia 44, 45 Janssen, Arne 60 McCornack, Brian 42, 49 Jessie, Casi 11, 42, 49 Mdellel, Lassaad 51, 92 Jessie, William 11, 42, 48 Menzel, Florian 38 Joachim, Christoph 89 Mesbah, Rahim Abdolahi 15, 26 Johnson, Gregg A. 68, 69 Messelink, Gerben 12, 60 Michaud, J.P. 11, 12, 48, 61, 94 K Milošević, Djuradj 91 Mitrović, Milana 81 Kaliuzhna, Maryna 14, 50 Mohseni, Leila 72 Kamel Ben Halima, Monia 15, 51 Monteiro dos Santos-Cividanes, Terezinha 13, 75, 76 Kandel, Devi 52 Monticelli, Lucie 63 Kaser, Joe M. 68, 69 Moretti, Chiaraluce 73 Kavallieratos, Nickolas 66, 81, 94 Kemp, Emily 39 N Kfir, Rami 52 Kirfel, Philipp 77 Nardiello, Marisa 32 Kocheili, Farhan 72 Nedvěd, Oldřich 9, 26, 41, 62 Koch, Tobias 44 Nemes, Liza 13, 62 Kocić, Korana 66 Nguyen, Le Thu Ha 11, 63 Kontodimas, Dimitrios 64 Nozari, Jamasb 26 Kos, Katarina 66 Nunzio, Isidoro 32 Kring, Timothy 49 Krüger, Kerstin 10, 52 O Kula, Emanuel 62 Obrycki, John J. 38 Kypraios, Theodore 64 Orlova-Bienkowskaja, Marina 90 L P Labrie, Geneviève 59 Papachristos, Dimitrios 64 La-Spina, Michelangelo 11, 54 Papanikolaou, Nikos 14, 64 Lazarević, Maja 91 Parthenopoulou, Efi 36 Leman, Ada 36 Payton, Mark 48 Lenhart, Paul A. 9, 55 Pekar, Stano 46 Liu, Junhe 29 Pekas, Apostolos 37 Liu, Yong 35 Pereira da Silva, Karen 76 Lognay, Georges 33 Pervez, Ahmad 15, 65 Lopes, Thomas 35 Peterson, Julie A. 68, 69 Loxdale, Hugh David 10, 56 Petrović, Andjeljko 14, 66, 81 Lucas, Éric 14, 15, 30, 56, 58, 59, 71 97

11 | INDEX

Pfiffner, Lukas 45 T Pfister, Sonja 12, 67 Pfitzner, Helen 44 Thiel, Sven 94 Pijnakker, Juliette 36 Tilmon, Kelley 15, 52 Plećaš, Milan 12, 15, 68, 69 Tomanović, Željko 10, 14, 66, 81, 94 Pons, Xavier 13, 15, 70, 71 Trân, Maaike P. 79 Trotta, Vincenzo 31 R V Rakhshani, Ehsan 81 Rasekh, Arash 11, 72 van Emden, Helmut 9, 14, 82, 83 Raspotnig, Günther 62 van Schelt, Jeroen 12, 84 Raymaekers, Stijn 28 Veglia, Leonardo 79 Réale, Denis 56 Verheggen, François J. 9, 10, 33, 84 Reineke, Doris 62 Vidal, Stefan 11, 85 Ribeiro, Alex Antonio 76 Vilcinskas, Andreas 11, 77, 86 Ricci, Carlo 73, 74 Viviano, Emanuele 32 Riolo, Paola 32 Vorburger, Christoph 12, 81, 88 Romani, Roberto 32 W Rondoni, Gabriele 13, 15, 73, 74 Royer, Tom 48 Wäckers, Felix 37 Roy, Helen 9, 46, 75 Wajnberg, Eric 63 Ruschioni, Sara 32 Warlop, Francois 45 Weihrauch, Florian 11, 88 S Weisser, Wolfgang W. 9, 11, 89, 93, 94 Saeed, Shafqat 29 White, Jennifer A. 55 Sajjad, Asif 29 Z Salvia, Rosanna 32 Saska, Pavel 78 Zakharov-Gezekhus, Ilia 13, 90 Scala, Andrea 32 Zhou, Haibo 35 Schirmel, Jens 67 Žikić, Vladimir 10, 47, 66, 80, 81, 91 Schnitzler, Jörg-Peter 93 Zouari, Sana 10, 51, 92 Seilwinder, Claudia 94 Zytynska, Sharon 9, 10, 25, 93, 94 Sigsgaard, Lene 45 Skaljac, Marisa 15, 77 Skuhrovec, Jiri 13, 46, 78 Sloggett, John J. 9, 14, 79 Smit, Jolein 84 Stanković, Saša 14, 47, 80 Stantzos, Dimitrios 36 Starý, Petr 81 Sturm, Sarah 94

Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt Technische Universität München Lehrstuhl für Terrestrische Ökologie