Brevicoryne brassicae: Difference between revisions
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Brevicoryne brassicae, commonly known as the cabbage aphid, is an aphid native to Europe that is now found in many other areas of the world.[1] The aphids feed on many varieties of produce, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and many other members of the genus Brassica,[1] but do not feed on plants outside of the Cruciferae family.[2]
Cabbage aphids, from the genus Brevicoryne of the family Aphididae, are grayish-green, but a waxy covering gives them a grayish-white[2] to powdery blue[3] appearance.
Predator defense mechanism
Cabbage aphids have a unique defense mechanism against predators. The aphids produce a myrosinase (beta-thioglucoside glucohydrolase) in head and thoracic muscles; the aphids also uptake glucosinolates, particularly sinigrin, from the plants on which they feed, storing the glucosinolates in their haemolymph. (Glucosinolates are natural defenses for plants in the order Brassicales against pests and herbivores.) The combination of the chemicals had a dramatic negative effect on the survival rate of the larval ladybird predator Adalia bipunctata. The chemical defence of the aphids has been likened to a "walking mustard oil bomb".[4]
Pest control
Different varieties of cultivars have varying resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae.[5]
Diaeretiella rapae is a common wasp parasite of cabbage aphids.[2] Other controlling insects include ladybird beetles, syrphid fly larvae, and lacewing larvae.[1][2] Some insecticidal soaps may be effective in treating aphid infestations.[2]
Sources
- ^ a b c Hawaii Department of Entomology information page
- ^ a b c d e University of Minnesota extension
- ^ Virginia Tech Department of Entomology
- ^ Kazana E, Pope TW, Tibbles L; et al. (2007). "The cabbage aphid: a walking mustard oil bomb". Proc. Biol. Sci. 274 (1623): 2271–7. doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0237. PMID 17623639.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Resistance to cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) in six brassica accessions in New Zealand", New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 1995, Vol. 23: 25-29
External links
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