The Environmental Conditions Affecting the Genetic Mechanism of Wing- Production in the Chrysanthemum Aphid

Abstract

Approx. 29,000 chrysanthemum aphids (Macrosiphum sanborni) were reared under controlled conditions to study the effect of light, temp., wilting of the host plant, presence or absence of wings in the parents, and environment of the stock on wing production. Each of the factors tested had a noticeable influence, but weighting of their effects would assign the greatest influence to the light conditions prevailing during the expt. Second place would be given to the temp. used during the expt. The environment of the stock from which the exptl. animals were drawn is 3d in importance, followed by the presence or absence of wings in the parent aphids. The least effective of all the agents tested was the condition of the host plant, whether wilted or fresh.