Do aphids survive over summer in maize crops in Belgium? A test of the "aphid reservoir" hypothesis

Hance, Thierry
(1997) European Workshop on Entomological Research in Organic Agriculture — Location: FESTIVAL HALL AUSTRIAN FED MIN SCI & RES, VIENNA (Austria) (14.March.1995)

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In late summer, maize is the main crop available for cereal aphids in Belgium, and constitutes a possible transition between two consecutive winter wheat cultures. Moreover, this crop is generally left unsprayed throughout the season. In order to verify this "aphid reservoir hypothesis", aphid populations and the abundance of their main predators and parasitoids were recorded over two years. Aphid development on maize began in June and reached a peak in mid-July. Afterwards, the population declined abruptly and disappeared in early August. This drop was unexpected as, at that moment, maize plants are still suitable for aphid nutrition. This decline corresponds to the peak period of many aphid predators and parasitoids. This plethora of antagonists can sharply reduce aphid populations. However, other factors such as plant physiology, temperature and fungus development are to be taken into account. Instead of being an "aphid reservoir", untreated maize is a crucial period in the cereal aphid life cycles and allows the multiplication of many auxiliaries.
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Hance, T. (1997). Do aphids survive over summer in maize crops in Belgium? A test of the “aphid reservoir” hypothesis. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture : an international journal of sustainable production systems, 15(1-4), 191-201. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/86001 (Original work published 1997)