Development of the Turnip Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach (Homoptera: Aphididae), and Test of Insecticidal Efficacy of Some Commercial Natural Products

• Published in: International Journal of Industrial Entomology 2008, Vol.16 (2), p.93-99
• Main Authors: Kim, Dong-Young, Chang, Sung-Kwon, Jeong, Hyung-Uk, Kim, Min-Jee, Kim, Ik-Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• ISSN: 1598-3579

The turnip aphid is a worldwide pest, damaging mainly to crucifers. In order to understand the life parameters of Lipaphis erysimi for the eventual goal of control, the developmental periods, survival rates, lifespan, and fecundity of the species were investigated under five temperature regimes ($15^{\circ}C-35^{\circ}C$). Furthermore, the efficacy of several environment-friendly agricultural materials (EFAMs) that are on the market was subjected to test in order to obtain further accurate information. The developmental period of the turnip aphid nymph was longest at $15^{\circ}C$ as 16.9 days, shortened as temperature goes up to $25^{\circ}C$ (5.4 days), and then somewhat increased at $30^{\circ}C$ (5.9 days), suggesting that the most efficient temperature for nymphal development could be around $25^{\circ}C$. Mortality of the nymphal turnip aphid was obvious at $35^{\circ}C$, whereas it was minimal at other temperature schemes. The longevity of adults shortened as temperature goes up to $30^{\circ}C$. In particular, the maximum lifespan for adults continued for 55 days at $15^{\circ}C$, but shortened to 21 days at $30^{\circ}C$. The total fecundity was 35.7 at $15^{\circ}C$, 81 at $20^{\circ}C$, 64.2 at $25^{\circ}C$, and 6.6 individuals at $30^{\circ}C$, showing the highest fecundity at $20^{\circ}C$. After the turnip aphids were successfully stabilized in indoor environment the insecticidal activity was tested and mortality was determined 12, 24, 36, and 48 hrs after EFAMs are treated. Several on-the-market EFAMs showed more than 90% of insecticidal activity within 24 hrs or 48 hrs, but a few showed less than 90% activity, signifying importance of selection of proper EFAMs.