A Detached-leaf Method to Study Pecan Aphid Behavior and Biology

A detached-leaf method for the study of blackmargined aphid, Monellia caryella, yellow pecan aphid, Monelliopsis pecanis, and black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae, the three species of aphids that infest pecan, Carya illinoensis, trees is described. Petri dishes containing 15 ml of 1% water agar were used for the support of 4-cm², surface sterilized, pecan leaf pieces. Compared to previously employed methods, this technique is a low cost, rapid and less labor intense method for the study of aphid biology and behavior, and enables the selective rearing of these aphid species.