The Effects of Enhanced Ultraviolet-B Radiation on the Biology of Green and Brown Morphs of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the biology of green and brown morphs of Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were tested under laboratory conditions. The two S. avenae morphs were exposed directly to different doses (0, 216, 432, and 864 kJ/m2) of artificial UV-B. Under low doses of UV-B (216 kJ/m2), the nymphal development period was significantly shorter, whereas mean relative growth, total fecundity, and gross reproductive rate were significantly higher for both aphid morphs compared with those morphs under control treatments (0 kJ/m2). Under high doses of UV-B (432 kJ/m2 and/or 864 kJ/m2), the nymphal development period was significantly longer, whereas the reproductive period, postreproductive period, difference in weight, mean relative growth, and life table parameters were significantly reduced for both aphid morphs. Moreover, the nymphal development period was significantly shorter and the differences in weight, mean relative growth, total fecundity, and life table parameters were significantly higher for the brown morph under high doses of UV-B compared with the green morph. The results showed that enhanced UV-B affects the performance of the green and brown S. avenae morphs from positively to negatively. The brown morph exhibited stronger adaptability than the green morph at high doses of UV-B.