Feeding behaviour of the aphids myzus persicae and brevicoryne brassicae, studied with radiophosphorus

Abstract

The volume of material ingested and excreted by the aphids Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae was measured by feeding them leaves or solutions containing radiophosphorus. No uptake could be measured within the first few minutes of penetration bythe stylets. Myzus ingested approximately 0.07 mg. plant material in 1 hr. Brevicoryne ingested less than one-twentieth of that amount in the same period. Myzus ingested morefrom the lower than from the upper surface of the leaf. No artificial diet was found that was ingested by Myzus as readily as leaf tissue. © 1953 CSIRO. All rights reserved.