Biology and seasonal fluctuations of pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae (Hem., Aphididae) in Isfahan

Pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae (Hem., Aphididae), is the pest of pomegranate trees that damages through feeding and producing considerable amounts of honeydew. Biology and Seasonal fluctuations of the aphid were studied in Isfahan by weekly sampling from infested trees during two years (2013-2014) and the percent mortality of eggs was calculated during winter. To determine important life table parameters of A. punicae in natural conditions, leaf cages were used in spring and summer. The results indicated that first nymphs and alate aphids were observed in early and late April, respectively. The population of viviparae was increased rapidly in late April and May and came down in summer. Wingless oviparae and alate males appeared in mid fall and oviposition occurred in early November on twigs of trees. The estigmated intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the reproductive rate (R0) were higher in spring than summer and were 0.26 ± 0.01 day-1 and 14.90 ± 1.32 nymphs, respectively. Also, the highest winter mortality of aphid’s eggs was occurred in mid of March.