Entomology ISA-CM 2021

The Cinara aphid « Cinara palaestinensis » of the Aleppo pine of

and their antagonists Amiret Fehoul forestry 2021.
-FARES ZEMMELI-

Higher agronomic institute of chott meriem

Abstract : The study carried out in the Aleppo pine arboretum (Pinus halepensis), made it
possible to establish a list of aphids. 1 specie (Lachninae : Eulachnini), this specie belong to
the Cinara genus which is : Cinara palaestinensis.

According to the analysis, Cinara species multiply on Aleppo pine and migrate to Aleppo pine.
This insect is influenced by biotic and abiotic parameters and by orientation and altitude.

On the results obtained, it is noted that the forest environment of Amiret Fehoul, Moknine is
very rich by the Aleppo pine arboretum which presents a focus for the auxiliaries.

This medium offers favorable and relatively stable for the conservation of the outbreaks of
natural enemies such as midge, lacewings, spiders, vespidae (Hymenoptera, Insecta)
Carabidae, pseudoscorpion, earwigs and ladybirds which characterized by their diversity.
Among the existing ladybirds; Myrrha octodecimpunctata, Scymnus nubilus, Coccinella
septempunctata.

In addition, we didn’t found any parasitoid or hyperparasitoïde who contrôle the population of
Aphids Cinara.

Key words : Aleppo pine, Aphid Cinara, beneficial insects, biodiversity.

Introduction : Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa, characterized by a strategic

location in the Mediterranean (Abid. And Rouchiche. 2003). The forest area is 1.3 million
hectares with a vegetation cover which suffers from a state of decline due to the negligence of
the state in reforestation which does not exceed 3%. This damaging situation implies solutions
for the rebirth of these spaces which are very sensitive and having ecological importance. The
importance of the forest reforestation activity is one of the solutions to save Tunisian forests.
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

This activity helps to compensate for the resulting loss by fires, by the attacks of pests and
insects which represent more very serious factors that threaten forests with reduced vegetation
cover. The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.), Is the main forest species in Tunisia covering
297,000 ha or 57% of the total forest area (Khouja. 1997). This species is attacked by formidable
insects which can induce heavy losses in the forest environment.

The objective of this work is to follow the population and distribution of Cinara aphid on the
Aleppo pine in the region of Amiret El Fhoul in Moknine and to know the regulatory agents.
especially parasitoids which have not been studied before.

Material and methods

The objective of our study is to follow the Cinara aphid population on Aleppo pine and to know
the species in the region of Amiret Fehoul, Moknine and to know its antagonists, particularly
the parasitoids. Sampling of Cinara aphids is carried out on a large biotope in a mini-forest in
order to study the diversity and distribution of aphids within the Aleppo Pines arboretum in the
Amiret - Fehoul region, Moknine attached in the governorate of Monastir. It is supervised by
the Forest Department of Monastir in reforestation and taking care of it as a natural resource is
characterized by botanical diversity (Aleppo pine, Eucalyptus, olive tree, prickly pear, ...) and
fauna (Fox, rabbit, birds, carrier pigeon, ...)

Their topographic feature is very rugged with the existence of wadis which contribute to the
supply of a lake.

Figure 1 : Aerial view on the biotope of Amiret Fehoul, Moknine (Google - Earth).
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

Sampling method

The random and weekly sampling from March to June 2021 which allows 20 trees in the
biotope, accessible trees and in good condition were chosen, we harvest the shoots colonized
by the aphid then the harvested samples must be placed in plastic bags, all marking the date of
harvest. The host tree and the sampling site as well as the level of growth colonized and their
orientation.

Study method

In the laboratory and with the help of a binocular magnifying glass, aphids are counted on the
infested organs to get an idea of the rate of infestation and to compare between two different
sites. Images are taken using a digital camera attached to a stereo - microscope. Aphids are
delicately removed with a brush then a brush and then stored in tubes filled with ethyl alcohol
at 70 ° until assembly between slide and coverslip. Thanks to the absence of chemical control
in a forest environment, nature presents us with a biodiversity of predators, which allows us to
harvest ladybugs and other predators.

Assembly technique

Winged or wingless adult "Cinara" aphids, the defining characteristics of which are often
microscopic, must undergo special treatment before being mounted between the slide and the
coverslip for identification. After making a ventral incision at the level of the abdominal
sternites under a binocular magnifying glass, to facilitate the extirpation of the embryos and the
digestive tract, the aphids are soaked in watch glasses filled with 10% KOH for a few minutes
(5 to 10 minutes) depending on the size, color and shape of the adult, at an appropriate
temperature, avoiding bubble formation and boiling.

The aphids are then passed through two successive baths in hot 70% non-boiling alcohol for 5
minutes in order to rid them of the potassium. Finally they are put in a solution of Chloral
Phenol Hydrate for 24 hours minimum and 1 month maximum in the dark in order to avoid the
browning of the phenol, in order to lighten the body of the insect and the cuticle becomes
transparent then by carefully spreading the individuals between the slide and the coverslip with
a drop of Faure's gum to avoid dehydration.
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

Results and discussions

During the sampling of aphids of the genus Cinara on Aleppo pine, were encountered. These
aphids collected in the forest of Amiret Fehoul are identified by a specified method. Precise
observations for all the appendages, the sensory organs, the frontal sinus, their arrangement, the
shape of the cornicles and the cauda, the venation of the wings, the ornamentation of the
abdomen and the presence or not of dorsal plates and even also by the color and the number of
hairs. Identification was facilitated by the site http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/

During the sampling period, only one species of Cinara was found and is being identified for
confirmation. Cinara palaestinensis brown brown to yellowish green (Binazzi 1978). Live in
large, dense colonies frequented by ants on new shoots of Pinus halepensis in the Mediterranean
region and in southwest Asia (Palestine, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, Turkey, Iran).

Figure 2 : Cinara palaestinensis (personal image).

Symptoms and damage of Cinara attacks : The attack of Cinara sp on Aleppo pines
acts directly and indirectly on the forest environment, at the beginning of the attack we observe
the presence of ants around the colonizations of aphids which excrete the remainder which is
honeydew, a liquid loaded with sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals. Ants are fond of this
honeydew. They collect it directly from the end of the aphids' abdomen, this is trophobiosis.
When the honeydew does not arrive, the ants pat the aphid's abdomen with their antennae. By
trophallaxis, they then share it with other workers.

The accumulation of honeydew causes damage to the development of Aleppo pine by stopping
the photosynthetic activity of the tree due to the clogging of the stomata by the honeydew and
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

even because of the existing sooty mold which is caused. by a complex of saprophytic and non-
pathogenic fungi. By covering the surface of the leaves, sooty mold limits the gas exchange of
Aleppo pine and even the absorption of light which is essential for photosynthesis. In more
severe cases, persistence of sooty mold may cause defoliation.

A B C
A A A
Plate 1 : Aphid damage on Aleppo pine (personal photo).

A) Honeydew B) Ant C) Saprophytic fungus.

Evolution of Cinara populations in Amiret El Fhoul - Moknine

During the sampling in the Moknine biotope, 20 trees were chosen to know the rate of trees
attacked and not attacked by the Cinara aphid.

25

20
Nombre des arbres

15
14
16 17
10 18 18
20

5
6
4 3
0 2 2
0
7/03/2021 21/03/2021 04/04/2021 18/04/2021 02/05/2021 16/05/2021
Date

Présent Absent

Figure 3 : Evolution de Cinara à Amiret EL Fhoul, Moknine.

 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

During the sampling in the Moknine biotope we notice that all the trees attacked by the Cinara
aphid are found in a place with a low altitude (wadi) and dense by the plantations and also
humid. But other trees that are not attacked in sun exposure with high altitude (hill) and low
relative humidity.

Regulatory agent for Cinara populations

➢ The predators :

Aphids are often controlled by natural enemies among themselves predators which allows for
the regulation of aphid population. Among the predators we find ladybirds, hoverflies and more
opportunistic and zoophagous ground beetles, spiders ...

During sampling in the Amiret El Fhoul Forestry in Moknine, a wide variety of predators were
found that attack the Cinara aphid. Among these predators we have collected ladybirds: Myrrha
octodecimpunctata (family of Coccinellidae), Scymnus nubilus (family Coccinellidae
Scymninae), Coccinella septempunctata (family of Coccinellidae) in the predatory region of
studies:

• Ladybugs :

Ladybugs near Cinara outbreaks are : Myrrha octodecimpunctata (family of Coccinellidae),

Scymnus nubilus (family Coccinellidae Scymninae), Coccinella septempunctata (family of
Coccinellidae). The ladybug is a great predator of aphids. They are very effective in ridding a
plant of its aphids: each ladybug can consume more than 50 to 100 aphids in a single day.

A B C
A A A
Plate 2 : Diversity of Cinara ladybugs (Personal photo).

A ) Myrrha octodecimpunctata, B ) Scymnus nubilus, C ) Coccinella septempunctata.

 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

• Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) :

Lacewings are also found during sampling. It’s a predator that has a nickname: "aphid lion".
They are natural predators of many pests. Their favorite prey are aphids.

D
A
Figure 4 : Chrysoperla carnea

In addition to known aphid predators, other generalist predators have been found. These include
spiders, vespidae (Hymenoptera, Insects), earwigs.

E F G
A A A
Plate 3 : Predators collected in the study regions (Personal photo).

E) Spider F) vespids. G) Forficules

During the period of the study at Amiret Fehoul forestry, Moknine by sampling we do not obtain
aphids of cinara parasitized by a parasitoid, conversely in the region of chott mériem sousse
we collect mummies of cinara parasitized by the parasitoid and hyperparasitoid.
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

Conclusion

At the end of this research treating the Cinara aphid of the Aleppo pine and their antagonists in
the forests of Amiret El Fhoul in Moknine, we can conclude as follows :

The Aphididae represent the most frequent and formidable pests on the forest arboretum as a
development source for these aphids which themselves constitute a sink for predatory natural
enemies.

The species found on Aleppo pine is of the genus Cinara which is Cinara palaestinensis. This
aphid is characterized by their colonies, they are tight against each other.

Monitoring the evolution of Cinara populations on Aleppo pine to show that this kind of aphid
are affected by abiotic factors represented by climate (temperature, relative humidity, etc.),
altitude, etc.

The results of this study also show that the forest environment offers a favorable environment
for the conservation of the proliferation of natural enemies such as ladybirds such as Myrrha
octodecimpunctata, Scymnus nubilus, Coccinella septempunctata. Ladybugs found during
sampling do not have the same number.

In addition to ladybugs, there is lacewing, and other predators have been found to be spiders,
vespidae (Hymenoptera, Insecta), earwigs.

This study like any other research cannot be participatory and absolutely needs to be studied in
other forests in different Tunisian regions to enrich the research and to be reliable.

In addition, this study mentions the role of the Aleppo pine in the forest environment which
presents a center of entomological biodiversity.
 Entomology ISA-CM 2021

Bibliographic reference

Abid. H and Rouchiche. S. 2003. role of forest plantations and trees outside forests in
sustainable forest management: republic of tunisia country report. P 6.

Binazzi, A. 1978. Contributi alla conoscenza degli afidi delle conifere. I. Le specie del genn.
Cinara Curt., Schizolachnus Mordv., Cedrobium Remaud. ed Eulachnus d. Gu. presenti in
Italia…. Redia 61 : 291-400.

Khouja M.L. 1997. Geographical variability of Aleppo pine in Tunisia: prospects for
improving the productivity and physical quality of wood. Catholic University of Louvain-la-
Neuve (Belgium), p 181.

-FARES ZEMMELI-