Exotic Aphid Control with Pathogens

Abstract

Exotic aphids are invading ecosystems worldwide. The principal factors favoring establishment of these invasive pests are their small size, parthenogenetic reproduction, short generation time, ability for long distance dispersal by winged morphs. and their explosive population dynamics. Attention has mainly been focused on invasive aphid pests of economic importance to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. More recently, however, concerns have also concentrated on potential impacts of aphids on biodiversity, especially with respect to endangered native plants. Fungi are the most prevalent pathogens of aphids, and consequently fungi have been studied and used for biological control of invasive aphid species. Entomopathogenic fungi with high epizootic potential have been used in classical biological control programs, fungi have been mass produced and used for augmentation biological control (both inoculative and inundative), and crop and pest management practices have been modified to preserve/promote activity of naturally occurring fungi in conservation biological control programs. In this chapter we will review the various strategies that have been developed for control of invasive aphid species.