| Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is a highly polyphagous aphid species, with a subspecies (M. persicae nicotianae) well adapted to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). We evaluated the effect of this host plant on the aphid performance and detoxification enzymes, in order to test the participation of xenobiotic metabolism on the ability of this aphid to overcome the tobacco chemical defences. Two genotypes, one corresponding to the only M. persicae nicotianae genotype reported in Chile on tobacco, and one genotype belonging to M. persicae sensu stricto were reared on tobacco and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), respectively. M. persicae nicotianae showed a significantly higher intrinsic rate of increase (r m) on pepper than on tobacco, and M. persicae s.s. performed... |
