Abstract

POSADA-FLOREZ, Francisco J.; TELLEZ-FARFAN, Lorena; SIMBAQUEBA, Ronald  and  SERNA, Francisco. SURVEY AND BIONOMIC OBSERVATIONS OF Sipha flava DAMAGING KIKUYO GRASS IN TWO COLOMBIAN SITES. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2014, vol.17, n.1, pp.95-104. ISSN 0123-4226.

SUMMARY The aphid Sipha flava was found on kikuyu grass, Pennisetum clandestinum, in the Northern Sabana of Bogota and Manizales urban area. We evaluated the damage caused due to the aphid's feeding habits and colonies characteristics. Symptoms of yellow leaves reached the maximum value of 31.3%/m². Colonies of S. flava preferred the upper leaf feeding and were located in greater numbers on the distal part, where the symptoms were found. The maximum number of colonies found per leaf was 17 and they were composed by few individuals of apterous adults and nymphs. Alate adults were not found in the field but were found in yellow pan traps, located nearby to the field sample area. S. flava populations were found on kikuyu grass grown under full sun exposure and in habitats where this grass grows spontaneously, such as prairies, edges of roads, orchards, gardens, and sport fields. Neither S. flava nor the symptoms of its damage were present on other plants associated with kikuyu grass. The infestation by S. flava can affect the quality of forage and the management of this insect should focus on cultural practices, the use of natural enemies in biological control programs, and by searching for varietal resistance sources.

Keywords : Aphid; natural enemies; grass; host plants; damage symptom; cattle; insect-plant relationship.

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