Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume 5, No.1, 2009 -17- Evaluation of the Use of Energetic Reserves As Bio-markers for an Insecticidal Effect on Woolly Poplar Aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii (Homoptera: Aphididae) Zahr-eddine Djazouli* , Bahia Doumandji - Mitiche ** and Elise Nowbahari *** ABSTRACT Poplar woolly aphid, Phloeomyzus passerinii (Signoret), has an economical impact on wood quality. In an attempt to detect possible metabolic dysfunctions, aphid females were exposed to two different concentrations of a systemic carbamate insecticide. The effect of insecticide exposure on the energetic reserves (fats, carbohydrates) was assessed. It was observed that the variation in lipids quality was more important than that in carbohydrates. Variations in lipids content seem to be dependent on insecticide concentration and exposure time. Fats were positively correlated with female’s weight at early contact with the insecticide, but over time the correlation shifted toward negative values. However, the variability related to lipids -carbohydrate complex revealed a positive correlation within 24 hours of exposure at the full recommended rate. Keywords: Phloeomyzus passerinii, Insecticide, Energetic reserves, Lipids, Carbohydrates. INTRODUCTION Today, wood occupies a very significant place in the world economy. The quantities consumed in 1980 were 1233 million cubic meters; including 370 for leafy trees (FAO, 1988). Between 1980 and 1990, the world consumption of wood increased from 370 to 469 million cubic meters, and possibly exceeded 2135 million cubic meters in 2003 (Lebedys, 2004). In order to provide fibers requests, specialized forests and a selection of high-output individuals are needed. The poplar is one of the best tree species for its fast growth and qualified output, and it could satisfy the country needs of wood at the short and medium term (Abgrall and Soutrenon, 1991). The most dangerous problem is the woolly poplar aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii (Signoret), that is widely distributed in Europe, North Africa, South America and China. The aphid attacks lignified tissues, nourishing from parenchymatous tissue of the bark by injecting at the same time a toxic saliva, which causes necrosis of colonized bark. The attacked trees have a reddish, inflated trunk. In case of heavy infestation, great portions of bark and the subjacent wood can be necrosed. If the circulation of sap is completely interrupted, the whole tree may die * University of SAAD DAHLAB, Faculty of Agronomic and Veterinary Science, Department of Agronomy, B.P. 270, Road of Soumaa Blida (Algeria) Tel./Fax + 213 25 43 39 38, Email: zahrdjazouli@mail.univ-blida.dz ** National Institute of Agronomy, Department of Agricultural and Forest Zoology, HASSAN BADI El- Harrach, Algiers (Algeria), Email: doumandjimitiche@yahoo.fr *** University Paris 13, Laboratory of Experimental and Compared Ethology LEEC- Associated Unit with CNRS, 99 Avenue Jean-Baptiste Clement F 93430 Villetaneuse (France), Tel. +33(0)1 49 40 32 65, Fax +33(0)1 49 40 39 75, Email: elise.nowbahari@leec.univ-paris13.fr. Received on 11/4/2007 and Accepted for Publication on 1/9/2008. © 2009 DAR Publishers/University of Jordan. All Rights Reserved.