Eur. J. Entomol. 93 (1): 53-58, 1996
Life history responses to host quality changes and competition in the Turkey-oak aphid, Myzocallis boerneri (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Callaphididae)
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Populations of tree-dwelling aphids are typically characterised by dramatic fluctuations in density within years. Seasonal changes in host plant quality and intraspecific competition are important factors in aphid population dynamics. The seasonal changes in life history traits under field conditions and the effects of high density on body size and reproductive potential of the Turkey-oak aphid, M. boerneri were investigated. Aphid body size is at its maximum in early spring, soon after bud burst, and declines progressively as the Turkey-oak foliage matures. The fat content of individuals, as a proportion of total body weight, remains constant throughout the season. By comparison, a small linear decline in the size of the soma results in an exponential decline in the size of the gonads. At small adult body sizes, embryo size (and implicitly birth weight) is conserved, presumably so that the survival of nymphs born in the summer is maximised.
Keywords: Aphids, adult weight, competition, fat content, host quality, offspring size, Myzocallis boerneri
Accepted: May 5, 1995; Published: February 15, 1996 Show citation
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