Aphid Species and Population Dynamics Associated with Strawberry

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Pest Management
• Strawberry Cultivation

Background:

• Aphids represent significant pests in strawberry production in Southern Brazil.
• Effective pest management relies on accurate identification and population monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify major aphid species affecting strawberries in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
• Compare the efficacy of different sampling methods for aphid detection.
• Analyze aphid population dynamics during two strawberry crop cycles.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys in strawberry cultivation areas.
• Comparison of 'hit plant' sampling and "Möericke" traps.
• Population dynamics monitoring over two crop cycles.

Main Results:

• Chaetosiphon fragaefolii and Aphis forbesi identified as primary aphid pests.
• Both "hit plant" and "Möericke" traps demonstrated equal effectiveness for capturing apterous and alate aphids.
• Peak aphid populations in Paraná were observed between September and November.

Conclusions:

• Provides essential data for strawberry producers in Southern Brazil.
• Informed pest monitoring and control strategies can be developed based on identified species and population trends.
• Highlights the effectiveness of specific sampling methods for aphid management.