The Influence of Light Intensity, Daylength and Temperature on Increase Rates of Four Glasshouse Aphids

Abstract

Life table data and intrinsic rates of increase were obtained for Myzus persicae, Brachycaudus helichrysi and Macrosiphoniella sanborni on chrysanthemum and for Aphis gossypii on cucumber, at 18.degree. and 24.degree. C, with daylengths of 8 and 16 h and light intensities of 800, 4000 and 8000 lx, in all combinations, using a modified Munger cell technique. In general, A. gossypii matured earliest and produced most young, followed by M. persicae. Pre-reproductive time, mean generation time and longevity were prolonged by low temperature, but were little affected by other factors. The number of progeny was greatly reduced by poor light. Daylength had no general effect but produced strong and complex interactions with other factors.