Resistance of certain cucumber varities to the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover)

Certain cultivars of the cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., were tested for resistance to the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover), under greenhouse conditions. The obtained results showed that the melon aphid reared on 'Beth alpha F1' had a longer productive period and produced fewer and smaller individuals than that reared on the other cultivars. The alate aphids on 'Beth alpha F1' gave only 9.81% of the total progeny compared with the other three cultivars. However, alate aphids on 'Beit alpha MR', F1 hybrid 'Beit alpha MR' and 'Rawa-F1RS', produced 24.07%, 24.57% and 41.55% of the progeny, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the reproductive period, total longevity, the number of nymphs per aphid and the number of nymphs per one reproductive aphid. The life table studies indicated that the population of 10 females of A. gossypii could increase to become 40, 59, 62 and 69 aphids on 'Beth alpha F1', 'Beit alpha W, 'Rawa-F1RS' and F1 hybrid 'Beit alpha W, respectively, within one week.