Daloul*1, N. Abo Kaf1, M. Ahmed1 and S. Faskha2
(1) Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Latakia University, Latakia, Syria; (2) Agriculture Scientific Research Center in Tartus, General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Glover, 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a cosmopolitan polyphagous species and widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It infects a wide range of plants, especially cucurbits including cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). This study was carried out in 2022 to estimate the biological parameters of A. gossypii when reared on cucumber under controlled laboratory conditions (temperature of 25±2˚C, and relative humidity of 76±5%). The biological parameters were analyzed according to the age-stage two-sex life table by using the computer program TWO-SEX MS chart. This aphid underwent four nymphal instars before reaching the adult stage. The mean durations of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th nymphal instars were 1.4±0.058, 1.24±0.051, 1.25±0.052 and 1.22±0.055 days, respectively. The total nymphal stage averaged 5.16±0.07 days, whereas adult female longevity was 12.03±0.68 days, with a mean fecundity of 43.04±3.17 offspring/female. The values of APRP and TPRP were 1±0 days and 6.16±0.07 days, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.304 females/female/day, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.356 days, the net reproductive rate (Ro) was 27.75 females/female/generation, the mean generation time (T) was 10.912 days and doubling time (DT) was 2.275 days. Results of this study are useful to understand cotton aphid population dynamics and use such information in the design of integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for this pest.
Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, life tables, biological parameters, Syria.
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001442