Aphids vector many plant diseases that cause greater losses than caused by direct feeding injury. Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) is a major pest of mustard. We are presently working on Biocontrol of this pest. I am unable to find the pest Mustard aphid in other crops. May I know what are the other alternative crops where this pest may exist/survive?
I believe any plant species in Brassica family would be an alternate host. I must admit that I have not worked on this species but am familiar with the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae.
We found it in June and July on Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) and marrow-stem kale (B. oleracea var. medullosa). But only in very low numbers. Later it disappeared.
Blackman and Eastop's book (Aphids on the world's crops) mentions also Barbarea, Capsella, Erysimum, Iberis, Lepidium, Matthiola, Nasturtium, Raphanus, Rorippa, Sinapis, Sisymbrium, Thlapsi...etc.
I.e. polyphagous on Brassicaceae crops, weeds and ornamentals.
Though Lipaphis erysimiis a specialist insect, I presume its host range is not limited to mustard only. Other plants such as Broccoli, cabbage, Chinese broccoli, Chinese cabbage, daikon, mustard cabbage, radish, tomato and zucchini serve as alternative hosts.
Phadke, K. G.; Prasad, S. K., 1983: Chenopodium album Linn. an alternate host plant of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. Bulletin of Entomology 24(1): 43
It is reported that the weed Chenopodium album was found to be an alternative food-plant of Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), an important pest of rabi crops of rape seed and mustard, in India...
I believe any plant species in Brassica family would be an alternate host of Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi).
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