Aphids and Parasitoids in Urban Systems of Vegetables Production in Cuba

Abstract

Knowledge on the local aphid fauna and of their associated parasitoids is a key element for the implementation of biological control. With this objective, surveys in urban areas were carried out every two weeks on several vegetables and other associated plants from November to Abril, in Mayabeque and La Havana provinces from 2008 to 2010. Samples taken from each crop were observed daily until parasitoid emergency. Both aphids and parasitoids were slide-mounted for identification. Aphid species found were: Lipaphis erysimi, Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, A. craccivora, A. spiraecola, A. helianthi, A. fabae, A. nerii, Aphis sp., Rhopalosiphum maidis and Brevicoryne brassicae; and the parasitoids species were: Diaeretiella rapae, Lysiphlebus testaceipes, Aphelinus abdominalis. The hiperparasitoids Pachyneuron sp. and Syrphophagus aphidivorus were foundtoo. Sixteen tritrophic relations were found in vegetables and six in alternating hosts.