Host plant preference and life table of Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The antibiosis, host preference in free-choice situation, and digestive enzyme activity of Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were evaluated in the laboratory (25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. with a 14-h day) on nine host plants: broccoli, canola (leaf, flower, and pod), cauliflower, kohlrabi, radish, red cabbage and white cabbage. The antibiosis test was based on life table parameters and the experiment started with 50 replicates for each host plant using clip cages. The immature survival varied from 34% on red cabbage to 78% on cauliflower. The viviparous aphids reared on rapeseed (flower) had the highest GRR and R0 values, and those on red cabbage had the lowest GRR and R0 values. Also, aphids reared on rapeseed (flower) had significantly higher rm value. The lowest rm value was obtained when individuals fed upon red cabbage. In host preference experiment, rapeseed (leaf) attracted the significantly higher number of adults as opposed to radish, which attracted the lower number of adults. Females who came from nymphs reared on rapeseed (flower) were heavier than other hosts. The growth index of nymphs varied from 0.035 to 0.103, with the minimum on red cabbage and the maximum on cauliflower. The amylolytic activity in adults was higher on rapeseed (flower) and the lowest on red cabbage. In addition, the highest and lowest proteolytic activity was on rapeseed (flower) and red cabbage, respectively. The results of this study indicated that red cabbage was an unsuitable host for feeding of B. brassicae.