Note on Fecundity of the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Caged on Plants of Broad Bean, Vicia faba L., Treated with Various Plant Growth Regulators

Abstract

The effect on insect populations of the widespread use of plant growth regulators and herbicides is a neglected field. Fox (1948) reported on a relationship between the use of 2,4-D and wireworm damage to wheat. Putnam (1949) suggested that 2,4-D could be an environmental factor in the ecology of grasshoppers. A recent report (Maxwell and Harwood, 1958) indicates that even slight dosages of 2,4-D increase the rate of reproduction of pea aphids on broad beans. This note is a preliminary report on similar investigations with the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), and broad bean, Vicia faba L.