Feeding preference of Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) for and its comparative development on bunchy-top susceptible abaca variety and resistant hybrids

• Main Authors: Facundo, Henry T., Sumalde, Augusto C.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 1998
• Subjects: Aphids—Feeding and feeds; Pathogenic viruses; Plant-pathogen relationships; Host plants; Biology; Entomology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4921
• Institution: De La Salle University

Tests conducted in the greenhouse showed that the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the only known vector of the abaca bunchy-top (ABT) virus, preferred to feed on the ABT-susceptible variety, Tinauagan Pula (TP) than on the resistant hybrids, Itolaus x Magsarapong 7 and Pacol x CES 3-2. Their preference was already manifested during the very first monitoring schedule (0.5 hr), although the number of colonizing aphids on TP only became statistically greater than those on the two resistant hybrids at 4 hours. P. nigronervosa exhibited better development and reproduction on TP, as manifested by its shorter nymphal development period, lower number of nymphal instars, longer reproductive period and higher fecundity, than on the resistant hybrids. In a field experiment, P. nigronervosa colony establishment was more successful on TP than on the resistant hybrids. The resistance of the hybrids to the aphid vector may explain partly their resistance to the disease