Effect of (2-Chloroethyl) Trimethylammonium Chloride on the Rate of Increase of the Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae (L.))

Abstract

APHIDS are among those plant-feeding insects which are closely adapted to their hosts. It is, therefore, not surprising that even slight variations in the growth and physiology of host-plants may have quite marked effects on aphids feeding on them. Some such effects of plant growth and senescence, water relations and varietal resistance have been described by Kennedy¹. For the same reason, interesting results can be expected from experiments involving plants treated with growth regulators. Robinson^2–4 studied a whole series of herbicides and growth regulators, and reported reduced fecundity in some instances. The present paper is a preliminary account of the effects of aphids of ‘Cycocel’ ((2-chloro-ethyl) trimethylammonium chloride), a compound causing a retardation in plant growth and used in the United States for producing pot poinsettias of marketable height and form. The aphid/host-plant combination used was Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) on Wroxton brussels sprout.