Age-stage, two-sex life table and seasonal dynamics of Brachycaudus helichrysi on Prunus domestica : implications for pest management in Himalayan plum orchards

Brachycaudus helichrysi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a destructive pests of Prunus domestica (L.) (Rosaceae), in India. Life table studies are essential tools for understanding population dynamics and predicting the control period of B. helichrysi on plum cultivation. Age-stage, two-sex life tables of B. helichrysi reared on six plum cultivars under controlled laboratory conditions were constructed. The total phenolic content in the leaves of each cultivar was quantified. Compared with the Red Beaut cultivar of plum, the fecundity, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and total longevity of B. helichrysi were significantly lower, and the mean generation time was significantly longer on the Fortune cultivar, followed by Angeleno, Friar, Black Amber, and Santa Rosa. The total phenolic compounds in the leaves of the different cultivars were as follows: Fortune > Angeleno > Friar > Black Amber > Santa Rosa and Red Beaut. The seasonal incidence of aphid was also studied under the field condition, which showed that the highest mean aphid population was recorded during March (113.17/10 leaves), followed by April (74.00/10 leaves), and declined in May (17.30/10 leaves). These findings suggest that the B. helichrysi resistance of cultivars, mainly Fortune and Angeleno, is influenced by the total phenolic compounds in their leaves. The negative correlation observed between phenolic compounds and aphid incidence suggested a potential role of phenolic compounds in mediating plant resistance to aphids. The findings will inform integrated pest management strategies for plum cultivation, promoting crop resilience and ensuring food security.