Distribution and ecology of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko (Homoptera : Aphididae)‎ in western Asia and northern Africa

Abstract EN

Throughout most of the rainfed cereal producing region of western Asia and northern Africa the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko, is a localized pest that causes minor crop losses in drought stressed plants, During normal rainfall years, populations of natural enemies, coupled with poor population performance by the aphid, appear to maintain D.

noxia at subeconomic levels.

Crop losses attributable to D.

noxia become more serious during periods of prolonged drought, which are frequently coupled with below nonnal winter temperatures.

In Ethiopia and South Africa, D.

noxia is reported to be a more economically serious and chronic pest in rainfed cereals.

Development of D.

noxia resistant cereal varieties and the enhancement of non-chemical pest control strategies for wheat and barley should provide adequate protection against D.

noxia in these areas.

Details of surveys and crop loss estimates, with emphasis on the region's less developed countries, are discussed.