Effect of Aphis craccivora Koch. Reared on Different Host Plants on the Biology of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius)

Abstract

Biology of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) was studied on aphids reared on different host plants. The total life cycle of C. sexmaculata ranged from 19.56 days to 27.87 days when aphids fed to this were reared on six different host plants viz., cowpea, groundnut, cotton, sunflower, greengram and blackgram. Adult male longevity varied from 11.00 to 14.00 days. Adult female longevity varied from 14.00 to 17.00 days. Shortest larval duration (6.75 days) was noticed on cowpea and longest larval duration (8.25 days) was noticed on groundnut. On cotton and sunflower 25 per cent larval mortality each were noticed. The head capsule width of first, second, third and fourth instar larvae of C. sexmaculata were 0.28±0.09 mm, 0.42±0.06 mm, 0.58±0.01 mm and 0.63±0.03 mm respectively when fed to aphids from nucleus culture.