Abstract:
Cage evaluation was made of developmental biology of the maize aphid, Rhopalosiphum niaidis (Fitch), on finger millet,
E leu sine corocana L. The mean developmental period of the aphid was 6.3 days (range 4.8 - 7.2), under 12 hrs, and 5.3 days
(range 4.0 - 6.4) under 18 hrs of light, respectively. The aphid's average reproductive life was 24.0 days and each mother
aphid produced on average 78.7 nymphs (range 66-94). Two peaks were observed for diurnal nymphal production, the
higher being in the afternoon (1400 - 1600 hrs) under normal conditions. Variations in diurnal light intensities affected the
occurrence of the peaks.