Biology of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi on Brassica juncea genotype RH 725 in semi-arid zone of Haryana, India

Abstract

Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) is one of the major insects of Indian mustard. It damages the various part of mustard plant as a result crop yield and oil content reduced. Scanning of the literature showed that no researcher had worked on all the parameters of biology of this insect on any crop. No work found regarding biology of mustard aphid on genotype RH 725. Therefore, on the basis of this fact studies on biology of mustard aphid was carried out during 2019-20 at Farmer’s field, Kolana village, Aravalli Hills Region, Rewari, Haryana, India. The results of the studies revealed that mustard aphid passed through four nymphal instars before attaining the adult stage. The average length of first, second, third and fourth instar nymph was 0.74 ± 0.07, 0.89 ± 0.06, 1.14 ± 0.14 and 1.31 ± 0.13 mm, respectively. The average width was 0.40 ± 0.04, 0.48 ± 0.03, 0.60 ± 0.06 and 0.72 ± 0.09 mm, respectively. The average length of apterate adult female was 1.62 ± 0.14 mm and width 0.94 ± 0.07 mm. The average duration of instars was 1.33 ± 0.37 (1st), 1.44 ± 0.38 (2nd), 1.79 ± 0.72 (3rd) and 2.14 ± 0.61 days of 4th instar. The average total nymphal instars period was 6.69 ± 1.11 days. The average longevity of adult recorded as 7.41 ± 1.61 days. The average pre-reproductive, reproductive and postreproductive period was 0.98 ± 0.47, 5.85 ± 1.58 and 0.57 ± 0.68 days, respectively. The average fecundity of an adult female was 24.63 ± 9.88 and birth rate was 4.12 ± 0.77 nymphs, whereas average total life span was 14.02 ± 2.21 days. This study provides important life history information of mustard aphid which may help to develop suitable integrated pest management strategies for this pest.