Does aphid-resistant wheat affect the ability of convergent lady beetle larvae to control aphids?
Roxanne Shufran1, Bonnie B. Pendleton2, and G. J. Michels, Jr.1. (1) Texas A&M University, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 6500 Amarillo Blvd West, Amarillo, TX, (2) West Texas A&M University, Division of Agriculture, P.O. Box 60998, Canyon, TX Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and bird-cherry oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) are two of the most common aphid pests of wheat in the Texas Panhandle. Convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville), is the primary predator of aphids and can reduce greenbug abundance by more than 60%. Resistant wheat has been bred to combat these aphid pests. However, resistant wheat is not immune to damage by aphids. With the impending loss of traditional chemical controls for aphids in wheat, data are needed that examine the consequences of aphid-resistant wheat on predators. The objective of this study was to assess whether aphid-resistant wheat being developed for release in Texas affects the ability of convergent lady be
