Thermal requirements, life expectancy and fertility tables of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Vigna unguiculata (Fabales: Fabaceae) under laboratory conditions

• Published in: Arquivos do Instituto Biológico (São Paulo) 2019, Vol.86, p.1
• Main Authors: Girão Filho, José Edmir, Pádua, Luiz Evaldo de Moura, Portela, Gilson Lages Fortes, Sousa, Francinalva de Morais, Silva, Jayara Dayany da Costa
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Aphididae; Aphis craccivora; base temperature; black-aphid; Cowpeas; Cultivars; Developmental stages; Fabaceae; Fabales; Fertility; Hemiptera; insect ecology; Insects; integrated pest management; Life expectancy; Life span; Longevity; Reproduction; Temperature; Temperature effects; Temperature requirements; thermal constant; Vigna unguiculata
• ISSN: 0020-3653; 1808-1657; 1808-1657
• DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000142018

The objective of this research was to determine the thermal requirements and develop life expectancy and fertility tables of Aphis craccivora (L.) in Vigna unguiculata (Walp.). The insects were kept in Petri dishes and fed V. unguiculata leaf discs (cultivar BRS-Tumucumaque) under five constant temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28 and 31ºC). Live and dead insects and stages of development; the onset and duration of the pre-reproductive, reproductive and post-reproductive periods; the number of nymphs per female; and the longevity of the adults were quantified daily. Based on these observations, fertility life expectancy tables were developed, and the thermal requirements of the cowpea black-aphid were determined. Increased temperature influenced all stages of insect development, as well as the pre-reproductive and post-reproductive periods and the total number of nymphs per female. The base temperature for development was 9.13ºC with thermal development constant of 99.0 GD. The highest net reproduction rate (Ro) was at 25ºC. At 28ºC, the greatest capacity to increase in number (rm) was observed, as well as the highest finite rate of increase (λ) and the shortest time to double in number (TD). The thermal range between 22 and 28ºC can be considered most favourable to the development of A. craccivora in V. unguiculata. Temperatures below 22 and above 28ºC affect the fertility and survival of cowpea black-aphids. Increased temperature induces reproduction and reduces the longevity and life expectancy of A. craccivora in cowpeas. RESUMO: Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa determinar as exigências térmicas e elaborar as tabelas de esperança de vida e de fertilidade de Aphis craccivora (L.) em Vigna unguiculata (Walp.). Os insetos foram mantidos em placas de Petri, alimentados com discos foliares de V. unguiculata, cultivar BRS-Tumucumaque, sob 5 temperaturas constantes: 18, 22, 25, 28 e 31ºC. Diariamente, foram quantificados os insetos vivos e mortos, o estádio de desenvolvimento, bem como o início e a duração dos períodos pré-reprodutivo, reprodutivo e pós-reprodutivo, o número de ninfas por fêmea e a longevidade de adultos. Com base nessas observações, elaboraram-se as tabelas de esperança de vida de fertilidade e determinaram-se as exigências térmicas do pulgão-preto do caupi. O aumento da temperatura influenciou todos os estádios de desenvolvimento do inseto, bem como os períodos pré-reprodutivo e pós-reprodutivo e o número total de ninfas por fêmea. A temperatura base