A synthetic diet for phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch)

A rapid bioassay procedure for aphid feeding studies is introduced. An aseptic unholidic diet was formulated and sustained Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae), an aphid monophagous on grapevine (Vitis spp.) for up to five reproductive day. Although limited, probing and active feeding could be determined over ten days. Undisturbed D. vitifoliae feeding was achieved by changing the liquid diet through a drainage system on a one-day basis and using phylloxera reared under aseptic conditions. Potential applications and improvements of the method are discussed.