Effects of four aphid species on development and reproduction of Harmonia axyridis

Abstract

To examine the suitability of Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi, Semiaphis heraclei and Aphis gossypii to propagation of Harmonia axyridis population, we studied the development and reproduction of this ladybird by constructing two-sex life table in the laboratory with those four aphid species as diet. The results showed that the immature duration of H. axyridis decreased in an order of L. erysimi (18.18 d), A. gossypii (17.48 d), S. heraclei (16.23 d), and M. persicae (15.77 d). The survival rates of preadult period were S. heraclei (88.3%), M. persicae (86.7%), L. ery-simi (55.0%), and A. gossypii (55.0%). The fecundity of those species were S. heraclei (1750.5), M. persicae (1441.5), A. gossypii (1006.3), and L. erysimi (965.2). The longevity of adult ladybird were S. heraclei (78.8 d), M. persicae (63.1 d), A. gossypii (54.3 d), and L. erysimi (48.4 d). The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of H. axyridis population decreased in an order of M. persicae (0.19), S. heraclei (0.18), L. erysimi (0.14), and A. gossypii (0.14). The net reproduction rates (R0) were S. heraclei (895.83), M. persicae (600.62), L. erysimi (273.47), and A. gossypii (268.33). Among those four aphid species, S. heraclei and M. persicae were more suitable for the propagation of H. axyridis population.