First records of aphid-pathogenic Entomophthorales in the sub-Antarctic archipelagos of Crozet and Kerguelen

Abstract

Since the 20th century, the sub-Antarctic islands have suffered an increasing number of biological invasions. Despite the large number of publications on this topic, there is a lack of knowledge on parasitism rates of invasive species and on the role of parasites and pathogens to regulate their populations. Six aphid species have been introduced in the archipelagos of Crozet (Île de la Possession, 46° 25’ S–51° 51’ E) and Kerguelen (49° 21’ S–70° 13’ E). Five of these species were found infected by entomopathogenic fungi of the order Entomophthorales. All these fungal species are cosmopolitan. Conidiobolus obscurus and Entomophthora planchoniana were the most frequently observed on Île de la Possession and in Archipel des Kerguelen, respectively. This is the first report of pathogenic fungi of aphids on the sub-Antarctic islands. We discuss these results in the light of our current knowledge of these insect pathogens. Their introduction by aphids surviving on plants during transportation is the most likely hypothesis to explain their presence on these remote islands.

• Natural enemies
• introduced species
• biological invasion
• colonization
• Zygomycetes
• parasitism.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the French Polar Institute (programme 136 Subanteco) and the French National Center for Scientific Research (Zone Atelier de Recherche sur l'Environnement antarctique et subantarctique). The French National Institute for Agricultural Research and the Pasteur Institute are acknowledged. We also thank scientific volunteers who helped during fieldwork.