Temperature Dependent Development of Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

• Published in: Agricultural research (India : Online) 2022-09, Vol.11 (3), p.488-498
• Main Authors: Saleesha, F. Miriam Amala, Kennedy, J. S., Rajabaskar, D., Geethalakshmi, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Brassica; Cauliflowers; Cell Biology; Fertility; Full-Length Research Article; Insects; Life history; Life Sciences; Life span; Myzus persicae; Pests; Plant Biochemistry; Plant Ecology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Sciences; Survival; Temperature; Temperature dependence
• ISSN: 2249-720X; 2249-7218
• DOI: 10.1007/s40003-021-00578-4

Current predictions suggest that global mean temperature rise up to 3.4 °C by 2100 and such change is unlikely to affect the synchrony of growth and development of the insect pests. Experiments were undertaken to study the life history of Myzus persicae in cauliflower at six various constant temperatures under Open Top Chamber which in place the results revealed that the life span of M. persicae decreased with increase in temperature. The total life span extended to a maximum of 19 days at 34 °C which was as short as 14 days at 39 °C. The entire nymphal period and adult longevity were 5.34 and 13.48 days at 34 °C and declined to 2.90 and 11.46 days, respectively, at 39 °C. At 34 °C, fertility per female per day was 2.58 which increased with increased temperatures (4.78 at 39 °C). The age-specific survivorship decreased with the progress of age and 50 percent mortality was observed to be occurring earlier at all the temperature levels. In general, M. persicae tend to be ‘r’ favoring at lower temperature and shifted to ‘K’ favoring at higher-temperature conditions. Life table parameters, viz ., gross reproductive rate (47.93), intrinsic rate of increase (0.467) and finite rate of increase (1.595), increased with increase in temperature of 39 °C. Mean generation time (6.23) and population doubling time (1.485) decreased with higher temperature. However, the net reproductive rate at 34 °C (24.40) was increased up to 36 °C (24.78) and found declined at higher temperatures (18.34 at 39 °C). The results indicated that the temperature above a threshold is detrimental to insect growth.