Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is now widely established in the northern soybean production areas and is becoming an important economic pest in soybeans. Yield reductions measured in replicated field plots have ranged from 12-45%. However, little is known about the effects of temperature and moisture on soybean aphid fecundity and survivorship. Our objectives were to determine the optimal temperature for soybean aphid growth and development and to examine effects of different moisture regimes on soybean aphid population dynamics under controlled conditions. We used constant temperatures of 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C with a 16:8 L:D cycle. Optimal temperature for cumulative nymph production was 25°C with 73 ± 3 nymphs produced per adult. For longevity, the optimal temperature was 20°C where adults survived 21 ± 3 days following first larvaposition. The upper lethal temperature was 35°C where 100% mortality was observed for first instar nymphs that failed to molt to 2nd instar nymphs in 6 to 7 days. Soybean aphids held on well-watered soybean plants had significantly higher reproduction rates than colonies reared on water-stressed plants.
Species 1: Homoptera Aphididae Aphis glycines (soybean aphid)
Keywords: reproduction, longevity
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