Alighting of Aphids on Colored Cards m a Flight Chamber

Abstract

Color preferences of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.); the green peach aphid, Myzus perslcae (Sulzer); and the garden nasturtium aphid,Aphis Sp., were observed under controlled conditions in a flight chamber. The aphids were tested with colored 15.2 × 22.9.cm paper cards. In replicated tests the flying insects were presented with a horizontal row of 3 or 5 colored cards. In each replicate the position of the cards in the row was changed. The 3 species of aphids alighted more frequently on yellow cards than on those where yellow was mixed with orange or green. Orange or green hues presented alone were unattractive. All other hues tested were unattractive as were several shades of gray. Some tints were as attractive or more attractive to the garden nasturtium aphid than their hue or base colors. The possible relationship of the responses observed to color vision of the aphid and to the buildup of aphids following use of some pesticides is discussed.