Evaluation of an aphid‐rearing method using excised leaves and agar medium. Issue 2 (13th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LI, Yang; Akimoto, Shin‐ichi
• Is Part Of: Entomological science. Volume 21:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2018-01-13
• Subjects: Acyrthosiphon pisum -- developmental time -- fecundity -- longevity -- rearing -- sexual generation -- Vicia faba; Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/ens.12296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1343-8786

Abstract

Abstract: The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an aphid‐rearing method devised by Milner in 1981 using Acyrthosiphon pisum and its host plant Vicia faba . In the "agar‐leaf method, " excised leaves of V. faba were attached to the surface of 1% agar gel containing nutrient solution, and test aphids were transferred onto the leaves. Excised leaves grew in size and weight on the agar medium. Fecundity, longevity, body size and developmental time to adulthood were compared between aphids reared using the agar‐leaf method vs . those reared on V. faba seedlings under the same conditions. No significant difference was detected between the two treatments for any of the four parameters, suggesting that the aphids grew and reproduced on excised leaves as successfully as on V. faba seedlings. This method was also useful for inducing males and oviparous females at lower temperature and in short days. Therefore, the present study confirms the effectiveness of using excised leaves on agar and suggests that this method could be applied to the rearing of other aphids, phytophagous mites, leaf miners and leaf‐gall formers. Abstract : We demonstrated the effectiveness of an aphid‐rearing method using excised leaves and agar gel containing nutrient solution. Excised leaves grew on the agar medium and provided sufficient nutrition for aphids. Aphids grew and reproduced on excised leaves as successfully as on host seedlings.