Effect of temperature on biology and population growth parameters of<i>Aphis gossypii</i>Glover (Hom., Aphididae) on greenhouse cucumber

Abstract

Abstract: Temperature‐dependent development, survivorship and reproduction of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii on Cucumis sativus L. were evaluated at six constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C). Developmental periods of immature stages varied from 20.70 days at 10°C to 3.81 days at 30°C. The population failed to survive at 35°C. As temperature increased, the intrinsic rate of increase ( r m ) followed a typical asymmetrical dome‐shape pattern, with maximum value of 0.419/day at 25°C. Survival of immature stages differed from 55.97% to 93.14% within the range of 10–30°C. The average adult longevity ranged from 8.56 days at 30°C to 17.00 days at 25°C. Three mathematical models were compared for accuracy in predicting the developmental rate of A. gossypii , and estimating its temperature thresholds and optima. The developmental threshold was estimated to be 6.19°C, and the thermal constant was 97.09 degree‐days, using the linear model. The Briere 2 and Lactin 2 models were accepted for success to satisfy criteria of goodness‐of‐fit (residual sum of square and coefficient of determination) and estimable temperature threshold parameters and highly recommended for the description of temperature‐dependent development of A. gossypii . No other data are available in using nonlinear models to describe the relationship between temperature and A. gossypii development.