Colony development and alate production in Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on winter wheat

Abstract An ecological study of summer populations of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) on winter wheat, was carried out near Bedford, UK, in 1978–80. Alate production (as percentages of alatiform fourth-instar nymphs) followed a consistent and synchronous three-phase pattern: with increases to 50% in early June in 1978–80 and 90% in late July in 1978–79. The proportions of winged offspring deposited by apterous parents also showed a similar increase, changing from 5% on 14–20 June to 91% on 5–11 July. Alate parents deposited mostly (75%) wingless offspring. Frequency distributions for nymph batch sizes were obtained for both morphs in 1979. Alate deposition was bimodally distributed. For apterous aphids, the fourth instar was the main dispersal stage. The numbers of adult apterae expressed as proportions of the total population were generally lower in 1979 than in 1978. The numbers of colonies increased sharply between 19 and 21 June in 1978 and 1979, and remained at similar levels to each other until at least 5 July. Colony and population numbers were highly significantly correlated over certain periods in 1978 and 1979. Colonies with >20 aphids increased sharply in numbers after 6 July, probably as a result of changing aptera dispersiveness. An estimate of mean colony size in 1979 showed a well-defined 14-day plateau phase. Changes in population alate production and changes in the proportions of winged offspring (from apterous parents) are discussed in relation to colony development. It is considered that increases in colony size produce colony-specific patterns of alate production.