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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408647
Research Project: Management Strategies for Invasive Aphid Pests of Cereals

Location: Peanut and Small Grains Research Unit

Title: Natural enemy suppression supplemented by regional pest management for the invasive Melanaphis sorghi, Sorghum aphid, on Sorghum

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

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2024
Publication Date: 8/27/2024
Citation: Faris, A.M., Brewer, M.J., Elliott, N.C. 2024. Natural enemy suppression supplemented by regional pest management for the invasive Melanaphis sorghi, Sorghum aphid, on Sorghum. In: Brewer, M.J. Hein, G.L., editors. Arthropod Management and Landscape Considerations in Large-scale Agroecosystems. Boston, MA:CAB International. p. 151-167.

Interpretive Summary: Sorghum in North America became at risk to Melanaphis sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), sorghum aphid, after its invasion onto sorghum in 2013. Mixed indications of outbreak severity and suppression by natural enemies were reported. This system provided an opportunity to evaluate agroecosystem response to an invading pest species by natural enemies, how the response varied spatially, and how host plant resistance may complement natural enemies. The natural enemy complex was similar across four regions of the U.S. and elsewhere, consisting of parasitoids, coccinellids, syrphids, and lacewings. In some regions natural enemies were associated with reduced aphid abundance. Landscape influences on natural enemy abundance varied by region. Aphid suppression commonly exceeded 90% on both aphid susceptible and resistant sorghums in two widely separated regions using cage exclosures. Given the regional variation, partially aphid resistant sorghum may be useful where aphid risk is persistent because it complements suppression by resident parasitoids and predators.

Technical Abstract: Sorghum in North America became at risk to Melanaphis sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), sorghum aphid, after its invasion onto sorghum in 2013 and subsequent near-continental scale expansion within a few years. Mixed indications of sorghum aphid outbreak severity and suppression by natural enemies were reported across the grain sorghum production system spanning the United States, Mexico, and Caribbean islands. This system provided an opportunity to evaluate agroecosystem response to an invading pest species by natural enemies, how the response varied spatially across a very large system, and how host plant resistance may complement natural enemy suppression. The natural enemy complex was similar across four regions from the central to eastern U.S. and elsewhere: two primary parasitoids, six coccinellid species, and several syrphid flie and lacewing species were common. In some but not all regions natural enemies were associated with reduced aphid abundance. Landscape influences on natural enemies varied by region, from negligible (a more subtropical region of the far southcentral U.S.) to modest (in more temperate southcentral U.S.) association with natural enemy abundance. Validation and estimation of aphid suppression were pursued using cage exclosures in field settings. Aphid suppression commonly exceeded 90% and was similar on aphid susceptible and resistant sorghums in two widely separated regions. Given the regional variation, partially aphid resistant sorghum may be useful where aphid risk is persistent because it complements suppression by resident parasitoids and predators.