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Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Poster: P-IE, General IPM and Biocontrol

Aphid biological control in community gardens

Tuesday, November 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific
Poster Display
Insects that were potential pests were surveyed in a community garden, and aphids were most abundant. Aphids were collected on four plants, which were corn, squash, beans and cottonwood and preserved in ethanol. Aphids from each plant type were used for DNA extraction and were then sequenced using sanger sequencing. Results were compared to GenBank for species identification. In addition, aphid mummies from each plant type were used to extract DNA and produce DNA sequences in order to identify aphid parasitoids in the garden. The most common parasitoid type from each aphid and host plant was determined. Several commercially available aphid parasitoid species were evaluated for augmentative biological control in the lab and in field trials. Emergence and longevity of commercially available parasitoids was determined. Percent parasitism was determined with each parasitoid species. Educational materials were produced to share the aphid biology and life cycles, and parasitoid biology with the gardeners. Results will be discussed.