Ecological Entomology
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Cold hardiness and overwintering of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae
Mr J. D. Knight Agricultural Sciences Building, Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT.
Abstract
ABSTRACT.
- 1Cold hardiness as measured by supercooling ability in the active stages of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae (F.) decreased progressively with maturation.
- 2Aphids showed no acclimation response when maintained at low temperatures.
- 3Starvation did not improve supercooling ability.
- 4In a single exposure, surface moisture caused inoculation above the inherent supercooling point in a small proportion of a population.
- 5Field populations show a seasonal change in supercooling ability, which is at a maximum in summer and a minimum in late winter.
- 6It is concluded that the act of feeding on healthy plant tissue may confer extensive supercooling ability.