Cold hardiness and overwintering of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cold hardiness as measured by supercooling ability in the active stages of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae (F.) decreased progressively with maturation. Aphids showed no acclimation response when maintained at low temperatures. Starvation did not improve supercooling ability. In a single exposure, surface moisture caused inoculation above the inherent supercooling point in a small proportion of a population. Field populations show a seasonal change in supercooling ability, which is at a maximum in summer and a minimum in late winter. It is concluded that the act of feeding on healthy plant tissue may confer extensive supercooling ability.