Host Plant Suitability of Rhamnaceae for Soybean Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

<p>We tested host plant suitability of 10 taxa in the Rhamnaceae for successful preoverwintering development of soybean aphid, <em>Aphis glycines</em> Matsumura (Homoptera: Aphididae). In the laboratory, we offered each gynopara and ovipara a single member of each putative host plant and measured survivorship and fecundity.<em>Rhamnus cathartica</em> L. and <em>Rhamnus alnifolia</em> L’Héritier were confirmed as suitable host plants, and eight other taxa were confirmed as unsuitable. This study supports results from a companion study in which soybean aphids were offered multiple members of the Rhamnaceae in field cages. Of the two suitable host plants, <em>R</em>. <em>cathartica</em> supported greater longevity and oviposition rates in oviparae. The importance of <em>R</em>. <em>cathartica</em> as an overwintering host to soybean aphid ecology and management is discussed.</p>