Research on the parasitism rate and development of the parasitoid Aphidius colemani on Myzus persicae reared on tobacco and eggplant

The aphid Myzus persicae Sulz. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a polyphagous plant pest that causes economic losses in many crops. In Turkey, this pest also causes serious economic losses in eggplant and tobacco plants. Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most commonly encountered parasitoids of aphids. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of A. colemani as a biological control agent against the tobacco pest M. persicae In the study, 80 of the 2nd and 3rd instar individuals of M. persicae developed on tobacco and aubergine plants of A. colemani were given to female individuals of A. colemani aged 0-24 hours. Biological parameters of the parasitoid such as parasitism rate (%) of aphid individuals, development time, pupal survival rate and offspring sex ratio were studied under conditions of 22±1°C, 60±5% humidity and 16:8 day/night photoperiod. While A. colemani completed its development on tobacco plants in 12.45 days, it completed its development on eggplant plants in 15.25 days. The aphid parasitism rate of A. colemani on tobacco plants was 69.75% and the sex ratio was 1:1.61. The aphid parasitism rate of A. colemani on eggplant plants was 71.62% and the female ratio was 1:1.41. In the study, the parasitoid A. colemani completed its development in a shorter time than eggplant under the same conditions. This suggests that the parasitoid A. colemani can be used against M. persicae in tobacco plants.