ChileanJAR

During the seasons 1982/83 and 1983/84, from January to May, studies were carried out by La Platina and La Cruz Research Stations (INlA), in order to determine the relationship between Gramineae and Cyperaceae vegetation of the andean and coastal mountain ranges, in the central zone of Chile, and the cereal aphid species present in those ecosystems. The extent of natural hosts for the aphids and their potential capacity as insect reservoirs were determined, as well as the aphid species present in those associations, their population density and relative abundance throughout the survey, carried out during the period of absence of cultivated cereals, in their areas of production. Results of the incidence of natural enemies on cereal aphid populations and the general influence of the ecosystems studied on the following wheat production season, are also given.