Damage Caused by the Foxglove Aphid, Aulacorthum solani(Hemiptera: Aphididae), to Sweet Pepper Cultivated in Greenhouses with Forcing Culture

Abstract

Damage by the foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani(Kaltenbach), to sweet pepper leaves and fruit was investigated under laboratory and field conditions. A. solani caused yellowing of young and mature leaves, deformation(twisting and curling)of young leaves, and necrotic spots on fruit. Such damage occurred at 2 days on fruit and 6 days on leaves after the release of A. solani at first to second nymphal stage on sweet pepper plants, irrespective of the aphid density. In greenhouses with forcing culture, A. solani occurred irregularly. The percentage of damaged plants at the first occurrence ranged from 0.6% to 6.0%. The distribution of damaged plants suggested that the occurrence of A. solani was due to invasion through roof ventilators.