Aphids are well known organisms that can cause direct and indirect injuries to numerous plants and crops worldwide. According to Voegtlin et al. (2003) most species are relatively specific to host genus or to closely related host genera; however, some, such as Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii (Glover), can feed on a wider host range.

Aphids cause direct damage to plant tissues by gall formation or leaf distortion (Hermoso de Mendoza et al. 2000; Williams 2000); in addition, they excrete sugars (honeydew) that promote mold growth (Williams 2000). However, the most damaging aspect of this insect group is its role as vectors of a broad list of viruses. Myzus persicae, for example, has been reported as a vector of at least 100 plant viruses (Williams 2000) and A. gossypii is the main vector of the Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) in the western region of North America (Hermoso de Mendoza et al. 2000).

According to Holman (2009), the study of the host plants of aphids leads to useful information about the ecology, adaptability, and dispersal behavior of aphid species. In addition, knowing the identity of the host plant on which the aphid is found is often an important aid to the identification of the aphid species.

Holman (2009) published a catalog presenting data for 3,654 aphid species identified on 11,793 plants from 246 plant families in the Palaearctic region. For the Neotropic region, Voegtlin et al. (2003) published a guide to 60 species of winged aphids of Costa Rica with an appendix of the aphid host plants from Central America. Additionally, new records such as that on Greenidea psidii in Costa Rica have been reported (Pérez et al. 2009).

Many aphid species are worldwide pests of crops (Teulon & Stufkens 2002). The knowledge of their alternate, non-crop hosts is a useful tool for developing an effective pest management strategy to maintain their population below economic injury levels, which may vary throughout the year (Niño et al. 2001; Rondon et al. 2005) due to the plant species diversity in specific regions (Mackenzie et al. 1994; Satar et al. 1999).

In this paper we present records for 7 aphid species found on weeds from the eastern region of Costa Rica. Most of the records are new.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Throughout 2008, foliar samples of several weed species were collected monthly in Limón, Costa Rica, as part of the project CONICIT FV 24-07, UCR 813-A8-506. Most of the samples were collected within banana farms where they are treated as weeds. A few samples were obtained from a pineapple farm and surrounding areas, and 1 sample from a pasture field. Three samples were collected in non-agricultural areas. Details of sampling locations are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1.

LIST AND DETAILS OF THE LOCATIONS VISITED TO COLLECT WEED SAMPLES IN 2008.

For the samples that were collected from weeds in banana farms, we selected 1 or 2 fields that had not been treated with herbicides for 6 to 8 weeks. Weed samples were collected in plastic bags and sealed with adhesive tape to prevent escape of captured specimens (Cermeli 2006). Host plants samples were identified in situ and verified at the Weed Laboratory of the University of Costa Rica by Steven Brenes. The same procedure was used at all locations sampled.

To extract the aphid specimens, each sample was placed in a container filled with boiling water. After approximately 3 min, the contents of the container were poured through a 212-mesh sieve, and the plant sample was washed twice in the container and the water was poured through the sieve.

Isolated specimens on the sieve were transferred to a Petri plate, and the aphids were stored in 70% ethanol in labeled Eppendorf tubes for further identification. The specimens were mounted on microscope slides and were identified by Nicolás Perez at the Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Universidad de León, España.

RESULTS

Three specimens were not identified due to damage during sampling in the field. We found 7 aphid species on 22 examined plant species belonging to 15 botanical families and 27 aphid-plant associations (Table 2).

DISCUSSION

According to Voegtlin et al. (2003), most of the 27 aphid-host associations reported herein are new records.

Aphis spiraecola Patch, 1914

The single specimen of this species that was collected on Conostegia subcrustulata (Melastomataceae), represents the first record of A. spiraecola on this species and in the Melastomataceae family. The presence of A. spiraecola on Cyathula prostrata is a new record for this species and for the Amaranthaceae family (Voegtlin et al. 2003). Aphis spiraecola has previously been found on Asteraceae species (Delfino 2005; Evans & Halbert 2007; Heie et al. 1996; Voegtlin et al. 2003), but Mikania micrantha was not previously listed as a host.

TABLE 2.

APHID SPECIES, HOST PLANT SPECIES, AND LOCATIONS FOR THE SAMPLED WEEDS IN EASTERN COSTA RICA IN 2008.