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A simple technique for continuous rearing of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover

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Abstract

Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover is a cosmopolitan pest which causes huge damage by sucking a vital content of plants, it also transmit viral diseases in various field and horticultural crops. Due to development of resistance to insecticides and the environmental hazard it poses, more emphasis is being directed on biological control of cotton aphid. Continuous rearing of host insects is a key in biological control experiments. Of late, potted cotton plants are being extensively used for the rearing of cotton aphids. This method is cumbersome and requires more time and space. The other methods viz., rearing on excised cotton leaves and artificial diet are not suitable for rearing in large numbers. Hence, the present studies were aimed to find out an easy and reliable method for rearing. A simple rearing technique based on a host, Hibiscus cannabinus L. of Malvaceae family, is found effective for continuous rearing of cotton aphids throughout the year. Here, we assessed the developmental periods and population change of aphids as temperature dependent parameters. Among the different temperatures tested, 24 °C is found most suitable to produce nymphs and wingless adults in large numbers. For the production of winged adults, rearing at 27 °C is observed most suitable. This technique has certain advantages as it requires less space, is easy to maintain, incurs less cost and ensures clear visibility of all the instars for counting. This technique would help researchers in continuous rearing of A. gossypii for use in biological control and other studies.

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Acknowledgements

Financial help received from DST-SERB, Govt. Of India (Grant number EMR/2016/001477) is duly acknowledged.

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  1. Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, 110012, India

    Y. Venkanna & Sachin S. Suroshe

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  1. Y. Venkanna
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  2. Sachin S. Suroshe
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Correspondence to Sachin S. Suroshe.

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Venkanna, Y., Suroshe, S.S. A simple technique for continuous rearing of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 519–526 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-00951-6

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