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Migration in Aphids: Response to Current Adversity

Nature volume 220, pages 1337–1338 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

Johnson1–3, Kennedy4 and Southwood5 state that migration occurs in alate aphids whether the alate population is large or small, and this behaviour of the alatae is not due to population pressure or to current lack of food; in other words, the migration of alatae is an evolved adaptation rather than a response to current adversity. This hypothesis does not apply to the sycamore aphid, Drepanosiphum platanoides (Schr.), in which migration is more marked in conditions of over-population (unpublished results of A. F. G. D.). The sycamore aphid, however, which is a tree dwelling aphid and therefore occupies a permanent habitat5, does not show the same degree of polymorphism as polyphagous aphids. It could be regarded as an exception to this hypothesis, which has been developed to explain migratory activity in aphids occupying temporary habitats.

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References

  1. Johnson, C. G., Nature, 186, 348 (1960).

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  2. Johnson, C. G., Eleventh Intern. Cong. Entomol., Wien 1960, 3, 50 (1962).

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  3. Johnson, C. G., Nature, 198, 423 (1963).

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  4. Kennedy, J. S., Nature, 189, 785 (1961).

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  5. Southwood, T. R. E., Biol. Rev., 37, 171 (1962).

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  6. Lees, A. D., J. Insect Physiol., 13, 289 (1967).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Zoology, University of Glasgow,

    A. F. G. DIXON, MARGARET DELISLE BURNS & S. WANGBOONKONG

Authors
  1. A. F. G. DIXON
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  2. MARGARET DELISLE BURNS
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  3. S. WANGBOONKONG
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DIXON, A., BURNS, M. & WANGBOONKONG, S. Migration in Aphids: Response to Current Adversity. Nature 220, 1337–1338 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2201337a0

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