Influence of temperature and daylength on population development of Aphis gossypii on Cucurbita pepo

Abstract

AbstractThe life table parameters of Aphis gossypii Glover were evaluated in tow sets of experiments on Cucurbita pepo. The first set was conducted at six constant temperatures (5 °C increments from 10–35 °C) with 12 h photophase. The second set of experiments was conducted at 6, 12, and 18 h photophase at 25 °C. Nymphal survivorship was 100% at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. However, it was 80 and 0% at 10 and 35 °C, respectively. The optimum temperature for body length was 10 °C, and body length decreased with increasing temperature. A. gossypii attained its optimum growth and reproduction at 25 °C. At this temperature, the net reproductive rate (79.7), intrinsic rate of increase (0.496) and finite rate of increase (1.6) were largest while generation time (6.6 d) and population doubling time (1.4 d) were smallest. Temperatures above and below 25 °C reduced the net reproductive rate, and the intrinsic and finite rates of increase. The intrinsic and finite rates of increase of A. gossypii reared at 18 h photophase (0.53 and 1.7) were significantly higher than at 12 (0.43 and 1.5) and 6 h daylength (0.49 and 1.6).