Population dynamics of Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora on exotic flowering leguminous plant Gliricidia sepium

Abstract

Abstract Insect-plant interaction may have several unpredictable consequences, especially invasive, non-native plants in novel habitats beyond their original distribution. During flowering season of invasive Maxican Lilac (Gliricidia sepium) leguminous plant, Cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) attacks, populate, and excrete sticky secretion which could have inhibitory effect on both animals and plants. We studied population dynamics of different stages of A. craccivora on trunk, leaves, and different parts of flowers (corolla, calyx, and peduncle). Our observations revealed that during peak infection, large nymphs populate all studied plant parts except corolla. Small nymphs dominated corolla while the number of apterous, parthenogenetic females was constant on all plant parts. Apterous females were dominantly present on trunk. Winged adults were present on all plant parts in small proportion (3.34–5.51%). Results of the present study suggest that during peak infection proportion of small and large nymphs dominate the growing parts in inflorescence. Parthenogenetic females might be preferring corolla as oviposition sites. Results of the study will be helpful in understanding aphid and invasive pant interactions and their consequences.