Host Preference of Different Aphid Species on Major Winter Vegetables

Aphids, which affect the wide range of host, are the serious emerging pest in the world. This experiment evaluates the actual host preference of three different aphid species i.e. Black Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae Linn.), Mustard Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kat.) and Cabbage Aphid ( Brevicoryne brassicae Linn. ) on three different winter vegetables i.e. Cauliflower, Faba Bean (legume) and Broadleaf Mustard. This research was conducted in polyhouse of Lamjung campus in two factorial CRD design with three replications from February 2018-March 2018. The statistical result showed both factors, aphid species and crop species along with their interaction showed highly significant results in live aphid count. The interaction result signifies the host preference which showed that the black bean aphid was strictly limited to legume crop only (Faba bean). Cabbage aphid and Mustard aphid both showed preference toward cruciferous crop i.e. cauliflower and Broadleaf Mustard. In Broadleaf Mustard, the population count of Cabbage aphid was found more as compared to another host in initial days of host development. But, in later days (34 days of inoculation), Mustard aphid was found to be increased at higher rates and became statistically similar with cabbage aphid. And, the population of Mustard aphid was found higher in cauliflower throughout the study period . Hence, this wide understanding of host preference can improve the successful pest management programs against aphids. Keywords : Black bean aphid, cabbage aphid, inoculation, mustard aphid Cite this Article B. Sapkota, K. Kafle, S. Pokharel et al . Host Preference of Different Aphid Species on Major Winter Vegetables . Research & Reviews: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology . 2018; 7(2): 17–24p.