Comparative Life Table Studies of Aphis Gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) on two Host Plants

Life table studies of Aphis gossypii Glover revealed that the net reproductive rate was higher on brinjal (29.225 females/female/generation) than on okra (25.621 females/female/generation) and the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was also higher on brinjal. Brinjal was found to be better host of A. gossypii when compared to okra as the pest revealed higher fecundity,higher net reproductive rate (Ro), higher intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and shorter doubling time (DT). On both the host plants, the maximum contribution towards the stable age distribution was made by nymphs, and the life expectancy of A. gossypii declined gradually with the advancement of age.