Maternal age effect on biology of aphids: A lifetable approaches

Abstract

The maternal environment has an important influence on the survival rates of insect offspring. One of the most prevalent maternal conditions is maternal age. Maternal age may be more important for aphids than other species due to their parthenogenetic and iteroparous feature. The study aimed to explain maternal age effect on aphids by using life tables constructed from parameters regarding the offspring of younger-, middle-, and older-aged mothers by using apterous parthenogenetic females of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) as a model insect. The intrinsic rates of increase (r(m)) of the offspring of younger, middle and older aged mothers were 0.319, 0.356, and 0.305 females/female/day and the net reproductive rates (R-0) were 26.483, 38.095, and 21.474 females/female, respectively. Total development times were 6.76, 6.54, and 6.63 days and the average total fecundities were 26.08, 37.63, and 21.18 females/female, respectively. The survival rates and the fecundity rates were fitted using the two parameter Weibull distribution model and the Enkegaard regression model, respectively. These results demonstrated that populations of aphids from every three maternal age groups were incremental type and the offspring of younger and middle-aged mothers had a regular reproductive period. Consequently, the use of the offspring with high breeding rate and potential during the mass production of aphids as a prey of natural enemies will be more useful in view of time and economically. Also, these results should receive attention to the importance of knowing maternal age in studies regarding Aphids.