title: A comparative life-table analysis of Sipha flava (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on two biofuel hosts, Miscanthus x giganteus and Saccharum spp.
abstract: Among the insects reported in biofuel crops, the yellow sugarcane aphid, Sipha flava (Forbes), is a potential pest of giant miscanthus, Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deu ex Hodkinson et Renvoize (M x g) and energy cane 'L79-1002', Saccharum spp. L. We studied the biology of S. flava on M x g and energy cane and estimated the development period, fecundity, longevity, intrinsic rate of increase, doubling time, reproductive value, and survivorship curves. To demonstrate the host suitability in a susceptible species, we studied the aphid life table on sorghum 'PL 18200,' Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Life-table information was recorded under greenhouse conditions on the host plants. Our results suggested that both M x g and energy cane are suitable hosts for S. flava. We observed similar aphid development period on both hosts. Life-table estimates including longevity and fecundity suggested that M x g is a more suitable host for the aphid than energy cane. The intrinsic rate of increase for S. flava was lower on energy cane (0.231) than on M x g (0.258).
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Pallipparambil
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000502:physiology*; D056804:Biofuels; D005298:Fertility; D020387:Food Chain; D007300:Insect Control; D015993:Life Tables; D008136:Longevity; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012098:Reproduction; D031786:Saccharum / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels