Myzus nicotiana Blackman

Myzus nicotiana is a serious limitations to quality as well as production of tobacco leaf since it is a sucking pest causing direct damage, as well as it is reported to be vectors of virus diseases. During feeding, the aphids excrete honey dew on which the black sooty mould fungus develops thereby rendering the leaves unfit for curing. The nymphal period of the aphids is completed in 5 to 7 days. Both apterous and alate forms are present, alate forms are more abundant in December-January. Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC, Sesamum indicum (Linnaens) and Raphanus sativus Linnaeus served as alternative host plants of M. persicae around Rajahmundry, AP, India during the off season for tobacco (i.e. March-November). In 1985, M. nicotiana (predominantly pink form) has been recorded in all the tobacco growing areas in serious form. M. nicotiana rarely occurs on plants other than tobacco in the field. By virtue of its anholocyclic development and high esterase activity there is heavy population build-up and genetic resistance to pesticides makes its control a problem.

Myzus spp. are multiplied on the seedlings of tobacco. But as most of the chrysopids are reared only on Corcyra eggs, the need for real mass production of aphids has not arisen except just to increase the potency of chrysopids, which are reared on aphid diet after every third generation.