Effect of summer flush leaves of the Daimyo oak, Quercus dentata, on density, fecundity and honeydew excretion by the drepanosiphid aphid Tuberculatus quercicola (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae)

• Main Author: Izumi YAO
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science 2004-12-01
• Series: European Journal of Entomology
• Subjects: aphididae; drepanosiphinae; tuberculatus quercicola; flush leaves; amino acid; reproductive diapause; honeydew; oak; quercus dentata
• Online Access: https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200404-0007_Effect_of_summer_flush_leaves_of_the_Daimyo_oak_Quercus_dentata_on_density_fecundity_and_honeydew_excretion.php

The aphid Tuberculatus quercicola (Matsumura), a non host-alternating species, lives on Daimyo oak, Quercus dentata Thumberg, and other species of oak. In summer there was a significant reduction in the total amino acid concentration in phloem sap of the host plant and fecundity of the aphids. There are two phenotypes of Q. dentata: one produces flush leaves in mid-July and the other does not. This study investigates the effect of the flush leaves produced by Q. dentata in summer on the density, fecundity and honeydew excretion by T. quercicola. Of 20 shoots on each of the study trees, 6-13 (average 8.8 shoots) produced secondary shoots with flush leaves. The number of aphids on flush leaves sharply increased by two-fold compared to that on mature leaves. The aphids reared on flush leaves were significantly larger and had a larger embryo number compared to those on mature leaves. These results suggest that the phloem sap of flush leaves has a high nutritive quality for aphids. However, in mid-summer and early autumn T. quercicola went into reproductive diapause regardless of whether it was reared on flush or mature leaves. Aphid colonies persisted until October even on trees that did not produce secondary leaves. These observations suggest that this aphid does not depend on secondary leaf production. Thus, the use of flush leaves does not enable T. quercicola to avoid nutritional stress in summer and the need for reproductive diapause.