BIOLOGÍA DEL ÁFIDO NEGRO (Aphis craccivora: APHIDIDAE) SOBRE FRÍJOL CAUPI (Vigna unguiculata, FABACEAE) Biology of Black Aphid (Aphis Craccivora: Aphididae) on Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata, Fabaceae)

This research describes the population and biological parameters of the black aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) on cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp.)), under laboratory conditions. The insects were raised on individualized seedlings in an average temperature of 28 °C, at 70 % relative humidity during a photoperiod of 12 hours. The parameters measured were the nymphal period, fecundity, longevity, pre-reproductive period and aspects of aphid growth rate. The net reproductive rate R (0) was 66.00, the intrinsic g rate of increase of the aphid (rm) was 0.51, and the population doubling time (TD) was 2.3. Survival curves (lx), fecundity (mx), the duration of nymphal and the reproductive period of the aphid were analyzed. The results differ from those found in other varieties of cowpea beans, demonstrating the susceptibility of the native variety used by farmers in the Colombian Caribbean coast.