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An attempt to anticipate biological control ofDiuraphis noxia (Hom., Aphididae)

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Abstract

Responding to the threat posed to the Australian wheat industry by the world-wide spread of the Russian wheat aphid,Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), an attempt to anticipate its biological control was made by introducing its oligophagous hymenopteran parasiteAphelinus varipes (Foerster) into the current Australian cereal aphid community. Details, of the source of the parasite material and its introduction, mass-rearing and release in Australia, together with follow-up studies in the field and laboratory are given. No evidence of establishment has been found so far and the possible reasons for this are explored and discussed.

Résumé

Pour répondre à la menace que représente pour la céréaliculture australienne la dispersion mondiale deDiuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), il a été procédé à un essai de lutte biologique préventive par l'introduction d'un parasitoïde oligophageAphelinus varipes (Foerster) dans la biocénose aphidienne présente actuellement sur les céréales d'Australie. Des précisions sont données sur l'origine du parasitoïde utilisé, son introduction, son élevage et son lâcher en Australie, ainsi que sur les études connexes au champ et en laboratoire.A. varipes ne semble pas s'être acclimaté jusqu'à maintenant; les causes possibles sont analysées et discutées.

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Hughes, R.D., Hughes, M.A., Aeschlimann, J.P. et al. An attempt to anticipate biological control ofDiuraphis noxia (Hom., Aphididae) . Entomophaga 39, 211–223 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372359

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