Tobacco Type Mediated Effects on the Development of Pink Aphid, Myzus nicotianae Blackman and its Predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The present study revealed that fecundity of tobacco aphid, Myzus nicotianae Blackman was highest on Lanka type (37.8 ± 7.5) and lowest on Nicotiana rustica (7.0±2.5). Chrysoperla carnea consumed 71.20 aphids/larva on Flue cured Virginia tobacco and 58 aphids on Burley type. Highest per cent pupation was observed on Beedi type (88%). Fecundity of Chrysoperla was the highest when it fed on aphids on cigar wrapper tobacco (291 eggs/female), followed by Lanka (287 eggs/female). The fecundity was lowest (114 eggs) when aphids on aromatic tobacco were consumed. Fecundity when fed on Corcyra eggs was least (220 eggs). FCV tobacco was most favored for oviposition by Chrysoperla (25 eggs/plant) and beedi and aromatic types were least preferred. On all tobacco types, when the larvae of the predator were released 63 to 92% reduction in aphid population was achieved. The nutritional profile of the aphids on the most favored tobacco type, Lanka, revealed that sugars and proteins/100g dry weight of aphids were 3.6 and 7.20 compared to 2.88 and 6,20, respectively, on aphids on aromatic types, which were less suitable as food. Prospects of utilizing host plant genetic diversity in tritrophic interactions for effective management of sucking pests are discussed.