The spatial-temporal dynamics of bamboo aphid dispersal flight along with their natural enemies: biocontrol implication

Bamboo is widely planted in forestlands and farmlands in tropical and subtropical areas. Bamboo biomass and production are threatened by cohorts of aphid pests. Understanding spatial-temporal dispersal trends of alates and interactions with their natural enemies might help regulate aphid population dynamics in the field. This study performed air capture of bamboo aphids by yellow-cloth-and-plant trap. A total of 3577 alates were captured during April to July 2014. Many of the trapped alates tended to short-distance horizontal flight, while half of Takecallis taiwanus (Takahashi) displayed upper-air flight trend. The temporal dynamics of trapped alates varied between species. The dispersal of Takecallis arundinariae (Essig) peaked mid-May, followed by T. taiwanus, and Metamacropodaphis bambusisucta (Zhang). Post-flight survival and fecundity of the trapped alates supported successful colonization. A total of 247 alates died from fungal pathogen infection (68.0%), parasitoids (25.5%), and Allothrombium ectoparasites (6.5%). Up to 97.6% of the mycosis was attributed to Neozygites linanensis (Zhou and Montalva). The Alate-borne parasitoid and ectoparasite species were consistent with those in local farming areas. It implied that aphid species in bamboo-inclusive agroforestry system might be in the interaction of apparent competition by shared arthropod natural enemies. These results highlight the dispersal pattern of bamboo aphid alates and the transport of natural enemies, providing initial insight to aphid biocontrol in bamboo stand.