Effect of Host Plant on Biology and Life Table Parameters of Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a key pest of oilseed rape, Brassica napus L., and produces economic damage. Commonly, life table parameters have been used to compare insect fitness on different varieties. Effects of four different varieties of oilseed rape ('Zarfam', 'Licord', 'Hyola 401', and 'SLM046') on biological aspects and fecundity life table parameters of B. brassicae were studied under laboratory conditions. There was no significant difference between the length of prereproductive, reproductive, postreproductive periods, and fecundity of aphid developing on different varieties. The maximum length of prereproductive, reproductive, and longevity periods of B. brassicae were observed in the Licord variety. The maximum fecundity of aphid was recorded on Hyola 401. The intrinsic rate of increase was estimated by using Euler-Lotka equation and was compared with those estimated using Wyatt and White's equation. Intrinsic rate of increase of B. brassicae (based on jackknife method) was 0.298, 0.294, 0.311, and 0.289 on Zarfam, Licord, Hyola 401, and SLM046, respectively. Feeding on SLM046 and Licord reduced the reproductive capacity of the cabbage aphid compared with the other varieties studied. However, statistical analysis of Wyatt and White output showed that calculated r_m were higher than that Euler-Lotka equation and there was not significant difference between r_m on different varieties. Aphid population growth 20 d after plant infestation showed no significant difference between numbers of produced aphids, but significant difference in the number of winged aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]