Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America
<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), commonly called the sorghum aphid, is an invasive pest of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) (L.) in North America. It was first observed in 2013 along the Gulf Coastal Plains ecoregion of Texas, Louisiana (USA), and M...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Pius A. Bradicich Ashleigh M. Faris John W. Gordy Michael J. Brewer |
| author_facet | Pius A. Bradicich Ashleigh M. Faris John W. Gordy Michael J. Brewer |
| author_sort | Pius A. Bradicich |
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| description | <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), commonly called the sorghum aphid, is an invasive pest of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) (L.) in North America. It was first observed in 2013 along the Gulf Coastal Plains ecoregion of Texas, Louisiana (USA), and Mexico, where it quickly established itself as an economically important pest within a few years. This ecoregion contains an established complex of aphid natural enemies, including both predators and parasitoids. In the decade since its invasion, indicators of increased suppression observed across six years and five locations from south to north Texas were as follows: (1) aphid abundances trending downwards across the years, (2) overall natural enemy abundances trending upwards during the same time period, and (3) a key parasitoid and coccinellid species increasing in dominance. Two key taxa, <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and six species of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were likely responsible for the majority of the pest’s suppression. In light of these findings, the importance of monitoring and stewarding natural enemies of invasive insect pests is discussed as part of a comprehensive strategy to measure and reduce the impact of a pest invasion in large-scale agroecosystems. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-bf08d6032bc948a194e482ca738e477f2024-12-27T14:31:18ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-12-01151295810.3390/insects15120958Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North AmericaPius A. Bradicich0Ashleigh M. Faris1John W. Gordy2Michael J. Brewer3Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 10345 State HWY 44, Corpus Christi, TX 78406, USADepartment of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, 127 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, OK 74078, USASyngenta Crop Protection, 410 Swing Rd., Greensboro, NC 27409, USADepartment of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 10345 State HWY 44, Corpus Christi, TX 78406, USA<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> (Theobald) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), commonly called the sorghum aphid, is an invasive pest of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) (L.) in North America. It was first observed in 2013 along the Gulf Coastal Plains ecoregion of Texas, Louisiana (USA), and Mexico, where it quickly established itself as an economically important pest within a few years. This ecoregion contains an established complex of aphid natural enemies, including both predators and parasitoids. In the decade since its invasion, indicators of increased suppression observed across six years and five locations from south to north Texas were as follows: (1) aphid abundances trending downwards across the years, (2) overall natural enemy abundances trending upwards during the same time period, and (3) a key parasitoid and coccinellid species increasing in dominance. Two key taxa, <i>Aphelinus nigritus</i> (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) and six species of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were likely responsible for the majority of the pest’s suppression. In light of these findings, the importance of monitoring and stewarding natural enemies of invasive insect pests is discussed as part of a comprehensive strategy to measure and reduce the impact of a pest invasion in large-scale agroecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/958AphididaeAphelinidaeCoccinellidae<i>Melanaphis sorghi</i>natural enemiesparasitoids |
| spellingShingle | Pius A. Bradicich Ashleigh M. Faris John W. Gordy Michael J. Brewer Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America Insects Aphididae Aphelinidae Coccinellidae <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> natural enemies parasitoids |
| title | Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America |
| title_full | Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America |
| title_fullStr | Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America |
| title_full_unstemmed | Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America |
| title_short | Natural Increases in Parasitoid and Predator Abundances and a Shift in Species Dominance Point to Improved Suppression of the Sorghum Aphid Since Its Invasion into North America |
| title_sort | natural increases in parasitoid and predator abundances and a shift in species dominance point to improved suppression of the sorghum aphid since its invasion into north america |
| topic | Aphididae Aphelinidae Coccinellidae <i>Melanaphis sorghi</i> natural enemies parasitoids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/958 |
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