Host selection behavior by Aphid Myzus persicae to different ages of tomato Solanum lycopersicum

Abstract

ABSTRACT The green peach aphid (GPA) Myzus persicea is considered to be one of the major pests of greenhouse. It is broadly polyphagous, feeding more than one hundred of host plants in over 40 plant families. Tomato Solanuum lycopersicumis important crops in Libya. These crops are exposed to many pests, and among the most harmful of these pests is the green peach aphids M. persicea, which causes great economic losses. This study was aimed to study the effect of plant age, leaf surface and leaf strata on the density of aphids stages (eggs, nymphs and adults). The results showed there are significant difference on density of aphids between different age of tomato. The findings also showed there was significant difference on density of aphids between different tomato strata. As well as, the results demonstrated that there was significant difference on density of aphid stages between different leaf surface where were higher on abaxial compared to adaxial surface. Therefore these results help in understanding the relationship between this pest and its host plants and provide information to find safe and environmentally friendly ways to manage this pest.