Age-stage, two-sex life table, and host plant selection behavior of the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on three Brassica juncea cultivars and one Brassica rapa cultivar

Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most destructive pests of Brassica crops, and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern (Brassicaceae) is an important crop in China. In this study, the life history data for M. persicae in one Brassica rapa L. (Brassicaceae) cultivar and three B. juncea cultivars were collected under laboratory conditions, and we also measured the glucosinolate content in the leaves of these host plants. Compared to the B. rapa plant Shanghaiqing (SHQ), the fecundity, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and total longevity of M. persicae were significantly lower, and the mean generation time was significantly longer on the B. juncea varieties [Huaye qingcai (HYQ), Renben guangtoujie (RBGTJ), and Shuidong jiecai (SDJ)]. In the choice test, M. persicae exhibited a significant host selection preference ranking in the order of SHQ > RBGTJ > HYQ > SDJ. The total glucosinolate contents in the leaves of the different plants, ranked from highest to lowest, were as follows: SDJ > HYQ > RBGTJ > SHQ. These results indicate that the glucosinolate content in Brassica leaves is negatively correlated with the life history performance and host plant selection of M. persicae. These findings provide important evidence that the M. persicae resistance of B. rapa and B. juncea is influenced by the total glucosinolate content in their leaves. We reported the life table of M. persicae in B. juncea plants for the first time; according to the developmental data of M. persicae in the laboratory, we can predict the control period of M. persicae on B. juncea plants, contributing to integrated pest management of B. juncea plants in future.