Effects of five different melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars on population growth of Aphis gossypii (Glover)

Abstract

In this study, population growth parameters of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on five different melons [Cucumis melo Linnaeus (Cucurbitaceae) cultivars (Balin, Çıtırex, 221 F1, Gediz, Yusufbey)], which are commonly grown in Turkey, were investigated in laboratory experiments. Life table parameters were estimated according to age-stage and two-sex life table theory. The results showed that A. gossypii developed more successfully on the Gediz cultivar due to the higher intrinsic rate of increase (0.5042 1/day), the finite rate of increase (1.6557 1/day) and the shorter mean generation time (8.161 days) than the other cultivars. Ecological pest control against aphids' use of resistance or less favourable host plant cultivars is considered one of the significant components of pest management. The findings obtained in this study can be used in the pest management program designed for the aphid.