Effect of Chrysanthemum Flowers Color on the Infestation by Chrysanthemum Aphid, Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gillette) under Glasshouse Conditions

Abstract

This study was carried out to study the effect of Chrysanthemum flowers color on the infestation with Chrysanthemum aphid, Macrosiphoniella sanborni (Gillette) (Aphididae, Hemiptera) under glasshouse conditions. Using six colors (varieties) of Chrysanthemum plants similar in the horticulture characters but different in the flowers color only (yellow, green, red, orange, violet and white). Experiments were done in two locations (governorates) Giza Governorate and Qaluobiya Governorate under glasshouse conditions throughout 2017 season. Obtained results showed that were a convergence of results at both the two locations (governorates), also at both adults of M. sanborni and its nymphs. Whereas the percentage of infestation by adults in Giza Governorate at the six colors of chrysanthemum flowers (yellow, green, red, orange, violet and white) were 24.5, 20.8, 17.6, 14.6, 12.5 and 9.8%, respectively. While the percentage of infestation by nymphs in the same governorate at the six colors were 23.9, 21.2, 17.9, 15.4, 12.4 and 9.1%, respectively. As the same trend, in Qaluobiya Governorate whereas the percentage of infestation by adults at the six colors of chrysanthemum flowers (yellow, green, red, orange, violet and white) were 24.6, 21.7, 18.3, 14.8, 12.0 and 8.5%, respectively. While the percentage of infestation by nymphs in the same governorate at the six colors were 24.5, 21.7, 17.7, 14.8, 11.9 and 9.0%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that highly significant differences between the six flowers color (varieties) of chrysanthemum on the attraction of adults and nymphs of the chrysanthemum aphid, M. sanborni at both the two locations.