Narayandas, G. and A. Alyokhin. 2006. Diurnal patterns in host finding by potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Homoptera: Aphididae). Journal of Insect Behavior 19: 347-356.

Abundance Factors /

Potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Homoptera: Aphididae), is an abundant potato pest and vector of potato leaf-roll virus and potato virus Y in Maine and other potato growing areas. We investigated the circadian rhythmicity of its movement towards host plant odor. Effects of daily cycle (day or night) and illumination (light or dark) on the proportion of aphids […]

Narayandas, G. and A. Alyokhin. 2006. Diurnal patterns in host finding by potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Homoptera: Aphididae). Journal of Insect Behavior 19: 347-356. Read More »

Narayandas, G., A. Alyokhin, R. Alford, D. Weber, and J. C. Dickens. 2006. Response of potato aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) to synthetic potato-derived Colorado potato beetle attractant and natural potato odor. Journal of Economic Entomology 99: 1203-1208.

Insecticides, Viruses /

A recently synthesized kairomone blend, based on the volatiles produced by potato plants, has been demonstrated to be attractive to both adult and larval stages of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). It was subsequently formulated in a viscous inert carrier for field applications and showed potential for aggregating beetles in treated areas of the field.

Narayandas, G., A. Alyokhin, R. Alford, D. Weber, and J. C. Dickens. 2006. Response of potato aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) to synthetic potato-derived Colorado potato beetle attractant and natural potato odor. Journal of Economic Entomology 99: 1203-1208. Read More »

Narayandas, G. and A. Alyokhin. 2006. Interplant movement of potato aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in response to environmental stimuli. Environmental Entomology 35: 733-739.

Abundance Factors, Viruses /

Potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), is a highly mobile aphid species that dominates aphid communities in Maine potato fields and may contribute to virus transmission between potato plants. We studied effects of simulated rain, wind, mechanical raking, fungicide application, reflective mulch, and predator (lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallast) on the interplant movement of wingless adult potato aphids in greenhouse

Narayandas, G. and A. Alyokhin. 2006. Interplant movement of potato aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in response to environmental stimuli. Environmental Entomology 35: 733-739. Read More »

Baker, M.B., Alyokhin, A., S. R. Dastur, A. H. Porter, and D. N. Ferro. 2005. Sperm precedence in the overwintered Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its implications for insecticide resistance management. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 98: 989-995.

Microevolution /

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the most important insect defoliator of potatoes and is infamous for its ability to develop insecticide resistance. Sperm precedence is an important consideration in developing resistance management plans. We determined the precedence of sperm from a postdiapause spring mating by using irradiated sterile males. We also investigated whether spring mating

Baker, M.B., Alyokhin, A., S. R. Dastur, A. H. Porter, and D. N. Ferro. 2005. Sperm precedence in the overwintered Colorado potato beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and its implications for insecticide resistance management. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 98: 989-995. Read More »

Alyokhin, A., F. A. Drummond, and G. Sewell. 2005. Density-dependent regulation in populations of potato-colonizing aphids. Population Ecology 47: 257-266.

Abundance Factors /

Scarcity of long-term (over 30 years) data series represents a major challenge for an accurate estimation of the role of density-dependent processes in population regulation. We analyzed population densities of the wingless parthenogenic morphs of buckthorn aphid (BA), Aphis nasturtii Kaltenbach, potato aphid (PA), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), and green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) from 1949 to 2003 for signs

Alyokhin, A., F. A. Drummond, and G. Sewell. 2005. Density-dependent regulation in populations of potato-colonizing aphids. Population Ecology 47: 257-266. Read More »

Alyokhin, A. and R. Atlihan. 2005. Reduced fitness of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on potato plants grown in manure-amended soil.Environmental Entomology 34: 963-968. 

Abundance Factors / ,

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the most important insect defoliator of potatoes worldwide. In this study, we conducted a series of no-choice assays comparing Colorado potato beetle reproduction and development on potato plants grown in manure-amended and synthetically fertilized soils. Manure-amended soil received annual applications of raw cow manure since 1991, and additional applications of

Alyokhin, A. and R. Atlihan. 2005. Reduced fitness of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on potato plants grown in manure-amended soil.Environmental Entomology 34: 963-968.  Read More »

Alyokhin, A., G. Porter, E. Groden, and F. Drummond. 2005. Colorado potato beetle response to soil amendments: a case in support of the mineral balance hypothesis? Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 109: 234-244. 

Abundance Factors / ,

The mineral balance hypothesis [Phelan, L.P., Norris, K.H., Mason, J.F., 1996. Soil management history and host preference by Ostrinia nubilalis: evidence for plant mineral balance mediating insect-plant interactions. Environ. Entomol. 25, 1329-1336] suggests that the organic matter and microbial activity associated with organically managed soils afford a buffering capability to maintain nutrient balance in plants. An

Alyokhin, A., G. Porter, E. Groden, and F. Drummond. 2005. Colorado potato beetle response to soil amendments: a case in support of the mineral balance hypothesis? Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 109: 234-244.  Read More »

Alyokhin, A. and G. Sewell. 2004. Changes in a lady beetle community following the establishment of three alien species. Biological Invasions 6: 463-471.

Abundance Factors /

A number of recent studies indicated that establishment of exotic lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) may have adverse affects on native lady beetle species. In the present study, we analyzed changes in coccinellid community inhabiting potato crops in northern Maine over the past 31 years. Prior to 1980, lady beetle communities were comprised almost exclusively of

Alyokhin, A. and G. Sewell. 2004. Changes in a lady beetle community following the establishment of three alien species. Biological Invasions 6: 463-471. Read More »

Alyokhin, A. V., P. Yang, and R. H. Messing. 2004. Oviposition of the invasive two-spotted leafhopper on an endemic tree: Effects of an alien weed, foliar pubescence, and habitat humidity. 7pp. Journal of Insect Science, 4:13, Available online: insectscience.org/4.13.

Abundance Factors /

The two-spotted leafhopper, Sophonia rufofascia (Kuoh and Kuoh), is an exotic pest from South-East Asia that attacks a wide variety of plant species in Hawaii. Myrica faya Aiton is an aggressive exotic weed that displaces and excludes native plants in Hawaiian forests. It has been argued that because of the high nutritional quality of its foliage, M. faya might facilitate leafhopper

Alyokhin, A. V., P. Yang, and R. H. Messing. 2004. Oviposition of the invasive two-spotted leafhopper on an endemic tree: Effects of an alien weed, foliar pubescence, and habitat humidity. 7pp. Journal of Insect Science, 4:13, Available online: insectscience.org/4.13. Read More »

Messing, R., A. Alyokhin, L. Quan, C. Yiqun, and F. Xiongxi. 2003. Parasitoids of Sophonia leafhoppers in Southern China. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 36: 111-114.

Abundance Factors /

Leafhoppers and their parasitoids in Fuzhou, China, were sampled from 1998 to 2001 in order to find their natural enemies with potential for biological control of Sophonia rufofascia in Hawaii. Eleven parasitoid species were found, of which Chaetomymar sp. (Mymaridae) were the most abundant, accounting for 65.8% of total parasitism. Parasitism of leafhopper eggs in guava orchards averaged 61.9%

Messing, R., A. Alyokhin, L. Quan, C. Yiqun, and F. Xiongxi. 2003. Parasitoids of Sophonia leafhoppers in Southern China. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 36: 111-114. Read More »