Banana aphid Pentalonia Nigronervosa coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) rearing: optimizing low-cost approaches for banana research purposes

Abstract Banana aphids ( Pentalonia nigronervosa ) are the vectors of Banana Bunchy Top Virus, and research on Banana Bunchy Top Disease often requires access to a large number of these aphids. This study investigates practical, low-cost methods for rearing banana aphids using excised banana leaves, exploring variations in leaf preparations and their impact on aphid population growth. Excised whole leaves, kept viable for up to 15–21 days using moistened cotton or soil substrate, proved suitable for long-term population growth. However, aphid population growth was significantly higher on excised midrib leaf cuttings. Cuttings from basal sections of older, more mature leaves, supported rapid population growth which doubled within 3–5 days, making them ideal for experiments requiring age-synchronized aphids. The superior performance of older, basal leaf sections is likely due to higher assimilate concentrations. Optimal timing for transferring aphids to fresh leaf material is crucial. Transferring before leaf discoloration or population decline is critical, as delayed transfer can hinder population recovery even with fresh food sources. Allowing for natural migration to fresh leaf cuttings, rather than transferring aphids mechanically which can damage the individuals, shows merit but requires further research. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights for improving aphid rearing efficiency on excised banana leaves, adaptable in various laboratory settings.