Biological Parameters and Life Table of Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (Davis, 1914) on Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala)

Abstract

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is one of the main Brassicaceae crops cultivated in Brazil. Among the major pests of this crop in the country are the aphids Brevicoryne brassicae, Myzus persicae, and Lipaphis erysimi. Although Lipaphis pseudobrassicae has been reported on kale, no studies have yet investigated its bioecology on this host. Successful pest management requires knowledge of the biological and population parameters of the species in the environment where it occurs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological and population parameters of the aphid that infests kale. Aphids were collected, screened, and mounted on permanent slides for taxonomic identification. Subsequently, a laboratory colony was established for biological studies and for the construction of the life table. For the life table, kale leaf discs were infested with two nymphs (0–24 h old) and monitored throughout the biological cycle. The parameters evaluated were the net reproductive rate (R_o), mean generation time (T), intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), finite rate of increase (λ), and doubling time (DT). Lipaphis pseudobrassicae was the only species collected, showing a high biotic potential and population growth rate on Brassica oleracea under the studied conditions, with R_o = 92.61, T = 11.32, r_m = 0.39, and λ = 1.49.