Control of root aphid (Pemphigus bursarius L.) in witloof chicory culture (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum)

Pemphigus bursarius L. is a serious pest of the witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum) during its growing phase in the field. Trials investigating many ways of improving control of this aphid were carried out, including improved knowledge of the pest's life cycle and of beneficial insects, tests of biological and chemical insecticides, impact of plants' growing conditions in the field (water stress) and research for resistance in different chicory families. The work showed that the winged flights of P. bursarius should be monitored in Northern France according to the temperature-based model established at Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne (now Warwick Crop Center). An insecticide spray with spirotetramat during the fundatrigeniae migration strongly reduced the wingless colonies in summer. Beneficial insects also contributed to limiting the populations of P. bursarius, particularly several species of a genus of a fly (Thaumatomyia spp.) whose larvae are able to predate on about 100 wingless aphids on the root chicory. The use of an insecticide has been authorized based partly on efficacy results obtained in these reported trials. Italian chicories were more resistant than witloof chicories (“Belgian endive”) and could be used in breeding programs. Data on the life cycle of some species of the genus Thaumatomyia have been recorded and will be useful for biological management programs in the future.