Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) is one of the world's most polyphagous agricultural pests. Integrated pest management strategies for its control require application of knowledge of its biology and ecology, including host preference. This study was designed to examine colonization sequence, fecundity, and colony growth as a measure of host preference among three common economically important host. Colonization sequence was determined in a mixed field plot of Capsicum chinense Jacq. (Solanaceae), Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae), and Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae) seedlings. Colony initiation and establishment always occurred on G. hirsutum before the other hosts. Aphids were observed as early as eight days after planting. Aphids collected from the field were acclimatized to the same host plant species in a glasshouse for three generations. Third instar nymphs were used to start colonies on new plants from which fecundity and colony size were documented daily. After twenty-four days the largest colony sizes were reached on cotton (x̄ 70). Colony sizes were found to increase more significantly every three days (p <0.05), especially in the exponential phase; this has implications for regimes implemented to monitor and manage infestations. Third instar aphids were transferred among the hosts then colony size was documented as a measure of suitability and preference. Differences in colony size after transfers were all significant (p <0.05), especially for transfers from pepper to cucumber. Colonies however, developed on all transfer hosts indicating that host transfer success is highly probable once these host plants exist within an intercropping system.