Spring populations of the green peach aphid on peach trees and the role of natural enemies in their control
Environmental Entomology 2(2): 186-191
A 2-year study of the spring population of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on peach trees showed that the number of surviving fundatrices reaching reproductive maturity represented less than 2% of the overwintering eggs. Colonies established from surviving fundatrices protected from natural enemies by sleeve cages displayed a tremendous numerical recovery. For example, in a protected environment (cage) the average number of alate aphids per stem mother was 3596 in 1970, and 1080 in 1971. In contrast, on unprotected twigs the natural enemies, primarily coccinellid and syrphid predators, played a major role in reducing the production of alate aphids by an estimated 95% in both years (based on counts of immature aphids).