Effect of Temperature on the Biology of Aphis spiraecola (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The temperature-dependent development, survivorship, and reproduction of the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, on Polyscias crispata (Bull) Merr were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32, and 35°C). The population failed to survive at 35°C. Between 10–32°C, developmental periods of immature stages varied from 23.0 d at 10°C to 7.3 d at 28°C. The developmental thresholds were estimated at 2.3°C for overall immature stages and 5.0, 1.4, 1.0, and 1.3°C for first to fourth stadia, respectively. The percentage of survivorship of immature stages ranged from 78.2 to 95.0% within the range of 10–30°C. However, survivorship was reduced to 29.6% at 32°C. The average longevity of adult females ranged from 36.5 d at 10°C to 6.0 d at 32°C. The average progeny per female was 44.0 at 20°C to 5.1 at 32°C. The largest rm (0.308) occurred at 25°C. Populations reared at 32 and 10°C had the smallest rm value of 0.040 and 0.078, respectively. The mean generation time of the population ranged from 35.1 d at 10°C to 10.7 d at 32°C. The optimal range of temperature for A. spiraecola population growth was 20–30°C. Several mathematical functions were used to quantify spirea aphid development, survivorship, reproduction, and life table parameters in relation to temperatures.