Determination of some biological parameters of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii glover ( Hemiptera: Aphididae ) on different melon cultivars

In this study, some biological parameters of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on VT 21, Balözü, Rita, Nefise and Zoom melon cultivars were evaulated. For this purpose, the effects of the varieties to the nymphal development time, survival rate, preoviposition, oviposition and postoviposition period, longevity and reproduction of A. gossypii have been revealed. The total developmental time of Aphis gossypii was the highest (6.71 d) on Rita, while it was the lowest (5.77 d) on Nefise under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % Relativily humidity, 16:8 L:D). Net reproductive rate (Ro) was the highest (63.38 off spring/aphid/generation) on VT21. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was the highest on Rita with 0.382 day-1 and the lowest on Zoom with 0.314 day-1. In this study, Rita melon variety against to Aphis gossypii was found to be more sensitive than others.