Results of monitoring winged aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on potato plantations in the conditions of the Northern region of Russia

Abstract

The studies were carried out in the conditions of the northern part of the Arkhangelsk region in the period 2017-2021. The purpose of the research is to determine the abundance and species composition during the annual monitoring of the flight of winged aphids on potato plantations, to establish patterns of insect migration. To catch winged individuals, yellow water traps were used, installed along the perimeter of the field at the beginning of the potato germination phase. The last extraction of the catch was carried out after the desiccation of the potato tops. As a result of the monitoring, 22 species of winged aphids were identified. Of the total number, direct and potential vectors of viruses are represented by 6 species ‒ Acyrthosiphum pisum Harr., Aphis fabae Scop., Aphis nasturtii Kalt., Aulacorthum solani Kalt., Hyperomyzus lactucae L., Rhopalosiphum padi L., their share in the abundance structure ranged from 69.8 to 91.7 %. From the group of aphids-carriers of viruses, 5 species annually migrate to plantings: A. corni F., A. fabae Scop., A. nasturtii Kalt., A. solani Kalt., R. padi L. The total number of winged aphids ranged from 61 individuals in 2020 to 107 individuals in 2018, and in 2021 there was an outbreak of mass reproduction R. padi L. and A. fabae Scop., which increased the total number of captured winged aphids to 1778 individuals. In the period from 2017 to 2020, the prevalence of virus vectors corresponded to a low value (16-27 individuals per 1 water trap), in 2021, against the background of an outbreak of mass reproduction, the prevalence of virus vectors increased to an average value (445 winged individuals per 1 water trap during the growing season). The accumulation of a large migratory potential of aphids occurs under favorable weather conditions in the winter and spring periods, and also, if possible, feed on the primary food plant for a long time. If the host plant is unsuitable for feeding, aphids migrate in search of food, as a result of which their number decreases.