MAGNETS ON WING DIMORPHISM AND HOST NUTRIENTS ALLOCATION OF MYZUS PERSICAE (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Abstract

. Wing polymorphism is commonly observed in many insects, green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) exhibit wing polyphenism in response to poor habitat quality. Here, we focus on the effects of magnets on wing dimorphism and host nutrients allocation of green peach aphid. The proportion of winged female progeny increased logarithmically with magnets between 0.065 T to 0.5 T. The first and second instar period of winged progeny was significantly lower than that wingless progeny with the exception of the 0.5 T magnets exposure; the third instar period of winged progeny was significantly lower than that wingless progeny except the 0.28 T magnets exposure. The fecundity of winged female M. persicae progeny decreased exponentially compared with wingless female M. persicae between 0.065 T to 0.5 T. The effects of magnets on the intrinsic rates of increase (r), finite rates of increase (λ), net reproductive rates (R 0 ), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) of winged progeny decreased logarithmically compared with wingless ones accompanied with the magnets increase. 0.065 T wingless progeny had the highest increase in flavonoid content (1.815 mg −1 g) while 0.28 T winged progeny had the lowest flavonoid accumulation (0.543 mg −1 g). Our findings highlight the wing morphology and development under varied magnet intensities and reveal that the accumulation of total phenol and flavonoid content correlated positively with the life history parameters, such as the total preoviposition period, female longevity, and the intrinsic rates of increase (r). It is thus possible to increase winged female production for the purposes of biological control by manipulation magnets conditions.