Exploring developmental plasticity in Aphis fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) across varied temperature conditions

Abstract

The vegetable crops cultivated in Bangladesh confront annual threats from insect pests, with aphids, as piercing-sucking insects, emerging as particularly perilous. These pests inflict direct damage by extracting cell sap and indirectly contribute to severe yield loss by transmitting viral diseases. Given that insects, as poikilothermic arthropods, are significantly impacted by temperature fluctuations throughout their life cycle, this study investigates the influence of varying temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) on the life table parameters of aphids reared on bean leaves in a controlled laboratory setting during the winter season. The initial aphid culture originated from the experimental fields of the Department of Entomology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University in Gazipur. The study, conducted at the university's laboratory, revealed that lower temperatures (15 °C and 20 °C) favored aphid population development, while higher temperatures (25 °C and 30 °C) adversely affected aphid populations. These findings provide crucial insights into the seasonal dynamics of aphid populations, serving as a scientific basis for the development of targeted pest management strategies, particularly during winter conditions.