Biological aspects and feeding behavior of cotton aphid in watermelon cultivars submitted to silicon application

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the biological aspects and the feeding behavior of Aphis gossypii in watermelon cultivars submitted to silicon application. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Education, Agriculture and Environment of the Federal University of Amazonas, Humaitá, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2×3 factorial (with and without silicon; cultivars Crimson Sweet, Fairfax and Charleston), with ten replications. The application of silicic acid (1%) was carried out directly on the substrate using dose equivalent to 1 ton SiO2·ha-1, 25 days after sowing. The rearing of aphids was kept in cucumber plants, cultivar Caipira. Insect biology tests were conducted to evaluate the duration of the prereproductive, reproductive and postreproductive periods, longevity, number of nymphs, and feeding behavior using the honeydew secretion technique. Analysis of variance was performed using the statistical program SISVAR and the means were compared by the F and Scott–Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). The silicon application to watermelon plants affects the reproduction and feeding of A. gossypii. The watermelon plants cultivar Crimson Sweet treated with silicon has high resistance to feeding by A. gossypii.

Recruitment of Hippodamia variegata by active volatiles from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Alhagi sparsifolia plants infested with Aphis atrata

“…The dominant control measure against cotton pests have been the use of conventional insecticides 6 . The long‐term application of insecticides result in environmental pollution and serious damage to entire cotton ecosystems 7 . More importantly, the development of pest resistance and the impact of insecticides on natural enemies have resulted in the resurgence of pests in cotton fields 6–8 .…”

“…The long‐term application of insecticides result in environmental pollution and serious damage to entire cotton ecosystems 7 . More importantly, the development of pest resistance and the impact of insecticides on natural enemies have resulted in the resurgence of pests in cotton fields 6–8 . These challenges serve as incentives for the development and utilization of eco‐friendly, non‐toxic, low‐cost and highly adaptable alternative methods of pest control.…”