TITLE:
Assessment of the Reproductive Potential of Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the Four Most Cruciferous Species Produced in South Togo
AUTHORS:
Atiyodi Awia, Abla Déla Mondédji, Wolali Seth Nyamador
KEYWORDS:
Cruciferous, L. erysimi, Life Table, Fertility, Demographic Parameters
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Entomology,
Vol.14 No.2,
April
2,
2026
ABSTRACT: Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a cruciferous aphid that causes enormous yield losses in Togo. Due to its parthenogenetic reproduction, it develops very quickly and invades crops. This study aims to determine the biological and demographic parameters of L. erysimi on the four cruciferous species that are most produced in southern Togo. A survey was therefore conducted among 120 market gardeners to identify the four most produced cruciferous species. Then, 120 newborn nymphs of L. erysimi were followed on leaves of each of these cruciferous species in petri dishes until their death. Of the 120 producers surveyed, 64 (53.33%) produce cruciferous vegetables, with cabbage occupying first place at 93.75% (60 out of 64), followed by cauliflower at 37.5%, turnip at 20.31%, and radish at 17.19%. The number of surviving nymphs decreased gradually from the second day until the death of all individuals on cabbage on the 23rd day, on cauliflower and turnip on the 21st day, and on radish on the 22nd day. The average lifespan of L. erysimi on these cruciferous vegetables was 10.04 days ± 5.14 days on radish, 10.53 ± 5.35 days on cabbage, 10.72 days ± 6.66 days on turnip, and 12.94 days ± 4.8 days on cauliflower (P = 0.00025). The oviposition of L. erysimi started on the 7th day on these cruciferous plants, and the average fecundity per female was 31.9 ± 13.71 nymphs on turnip, followed by radish at 29.01 ± 13.06, then cauliflower at 25.55 ± 10.5, and then headed cabbage at 22.3 ± 8.28 (P = 0.0016). Respectively, in the presence of headed cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, and radish, its net reproduction rate was 12.789, 20.79, 18.978, and 16.149; its generation time was equivalent to 11.169, 11.647, 11.603, and 11.549 days; then its intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.228, 0.260, 0.253, and 0.240; and the time during which its population doubled was 3.040, 2.66, 2.739, and 2.888 days.