Archer, T.L., Bynum, E.D., Jr., 1986.
Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Banks grass mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) distribution on sorghum plants. Journal of Economic Entomology, 79: 116-121.
Abstract
The distribution of populations of Schizaphis graminum or Oligonychus pratensis on sorghum,, the effects of cultivar and fertilizer regime, were investigated in studies conducted in Texas. The aphids aggregated in compact groups on leaves located predominantly on the lower half of sorghum plants. This aggregation was not affected by experimental treatment or aphid density. The mites initially colonized leaves in the lower parts of a plant. Colonies were loosely aggregated at first, but later the mites dispersed over more of the plant area than did the aphids. The number of leaves available to the mites influenced their distribution. The results indicated that a consistent sample of aphids could be obtained by determining aphid density on leaves in the lower half or third of the sorghum plant, whereas an equally consistent mite sample would require that all leaves in the lower two-thirds of a plant be sampled.
