Award details

Aphid ecology and population dynamics

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004200
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Richard Harrington
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,797,521
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	108 months

Abstract

The Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) runs a network of suction traps for monitoring aphids. The spatial and temporal scales of monitoring have led to a standardised dataset which is internationally recognised as the most comprehensive for any terrestrial invertebrate groups anywhere in the world. This programme deals with fundamental applications of the data and associated expertise. There are three main objectives: 1) To understand how winter weather affects aphid phenology and abundance in the following season; 2) To predict the impacts of global environmental change on aphids; 3) To assess and explain the temporal and spatial stability of aphid clones.On a European scale, relationships are sought between aphid dynamics and environmental variables including climate and land use. These relationships are used with environmental change scenarios as inputs in order to assess the potential impacts of predicted changes on aphid dynamics.There is much controversy as to the rate of movement and migratory ambit of winged aphids. When looking at species level, these have been difficult to resolve because most species of interest are ubiquitous. Identification of clones using microsatellite markers allows genetic variation within a species to be analysed nation-wide. A pilot study showing little heterogeneity in the genetic make up of cereal aphid populations around the UK suggests that these aphids are highly migratory. However, alternative explanations, such as these patterns being ancestral or maintained by selection, are possible. Aphids from suction traps are being used to investigate how population structure changes in space and time in order to determine the rate of spread of clones and provide clues as to the migratory ambit of aphids.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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