大气CO_2浓度升高对取食不同基因型拟南芥上桃蚜转录组基因表达的影响

【目的】近年来,温室气体尤其是CO_2浓度的持续升高给自然界造成的影响一直深受关注,但大部分以植物为对象研究其对CO_2浓度升高的响应,而针对植食性昆虫为对象着重昆虫的研究较少。【方法】本实验以在两种不同基因型拟南芥(野生型wt和水杨酸途径信号缺失体npr1)上取食的桃蚜Myzus persicae为研究对象,以大气CO_2浓度为影响因子,利用高通量筛选技术研究了大气CO_2浓度升高对桃蚜转录组基因表达的影响。【结果】研究表明:大气CO_2浓度升高仅增加了npr1突变体上的桃蚜体重,而对野生型上的桃蚜体重没有影响。此外,正常CO_2浓度下取食npr1突变体的蚜虫相较于取食野生型体重显著降低。通过对不同处理下桃蚜的转录组数据进行分析发现:正常CO_2浓度下,取食npr1突变体相较于取食野生型wt拟南芥,蚜虫体内基因有661条表达上产生显著差异变化,主要富集于12条通路;CO_2浓度升高条件下,取食不同基因型拟南芥的蚜虫体内差异基因降至536条,主要富集于15条通路;不同CO_2浓度下,取食wt植株的蚜虫有220条基因产生差异表达,主要富集于9条通路;不同CO_2浓度下,取食npr1突变体的蚜虫有274条差异基因,主要富集于16条通路。正常CO_2浓度下取食不同基因型拟南芥与不同CO_2浓度下取食npr1突变体的蚜虫共同富集于4条通路:内质网内蛋白加工,蛋白酶体,丙酮酸代谢以及抗原的加工与呈递过程。【结论】CO_2浓度升高对蚜虫生长发育的影响存在寄主基因型特异性,CO_2浓度升高对取食npr1植株上蚜虫生长发育的促进作用主要通过增加蚜虫体内氨基酸、糖类以及脂肪等基础代谢进行调节。     

禾谷缢管蚜在三个小麦品种上取食行为的EPG比较

应用刺探电位图谱（EPG）技术对禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi在不同小麦品种(Ww2730、小偃22和Batis)苗期的取食行为进行了比较研究。结果表明：在小偃22上蚜虫开始取食的第1次刺探时间最晚,且持续时间最短;在Ww2730上取食受到机械阻力的个体最多,且出现F波的几率和持续时间最长;两品种上蚜虫在木质部主动摄取汁液（G波）花费的时间最长。 在Batis上,蚜虫口针第1次到达韧皮部时需要分泌较多水溶性唾液(E1波),但随后只需分泌较少的水溶性唾液就可以成功取食,而且被动吸食韧皮部汁液的时间（E2波）最长。蚜虫口针在到达小偃22韧皮部取食之前,出现多次的口针试探、回撤,并且多次、多量分泌水溶性唾液（E1波）;虽然蚜虫在小偃22上口针最先到达韧皮部,但被动吸食韧皮部汁液的时间（E2波）最短。由此得出结论：小偃22表皮部、韧皮部存在阻碍禾谷缢管蚜取食的物理和生化因素; 禾谷缢管蚜在Ww2730取食遇到更多的是细胞间机械阻力; Batis是较感蚜的品种。     

基于EPG的三种刺吸式害虫在苹果苗上的取食行为比较

【目的】苹果绵蚜Eriosoma lanigerum、绣线菊蚜Aphis citricola和梨网蝽Stephanitis nashi是苹果园的一类重要害虫,它们以刺吸式口器对苹果树造成不同程度的危害。本研究旨在明确这3种刺吸式昆虫在苹果树上取食行为差异。【方法】利用刺吸电位(electrical penetration graph, EPG)技术对苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成虫在苹果苗韧皮部和非韧皮部上的EPG指标,以及苹果绵蚜、绣线菊蚜和梨网蝽成虫苹果苗上的取食行为进行了比较分析,分析了这3种害虫的成虫在苹果苗上取食8 h各种波形平均持续时间的占比。【结果】结果表明,苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成蚜在苹果苗上均产生6种取食波形,即非刺探波(np)、路径波(C)、意外穿刺细胞非主动取食细胞波(pd)、木质部取食波(G)、韧皮部唾液分泌波(E1)和韧皮部取食波(E2);而梨网蝽成虫取食过程中只产生非刺探波(np)、表皮刺穿波(A)、叶肉细胞取食波(Gc)和木质部取食波(E)4种波形。从蚜虫在苹果苗非韧皮部上取食的EPG指标看,苹果绵蚜成蚜pd波平均时间显著高于绣线菊蚜的,而刺探次数、np波总时间和pd波次数均显著低于绣线菊蚜的。从蚜虫在苹果苗韧皮部上取食的EPG指标来看,除第1次出现E2波的时间外,各指标没有显著差异。从3种害虫在苹果苗上取食8 h各波形的占比来看,梨网蝽成虫的np波总时间所占比例最高(53%),其次是绣线菊蚜成虫的(24%),苹果绵蚜成虫的最低(为1%)。同时,苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成虫取食波为E2波,所占总时间比例分别为35%和25%,而梨网蝽的取食波为Gc波(占总时间比例为36%)和E波(占总时间比例为11%)。【结论】本研究阐释了苹果园刺吸式口器害虫的生态位分离和取食行为学机制,为果园刺吸式口器害虫的综合治理提供了理论依据。     

UV-B胁迫小麦上麦长管蚜的生命表参数和取食行为

【目的】为明确UV-B胁迫小麦对麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)种群生命表参数和取食行为的影响。【方法】采用特定年龄生命表方法和刺探电位图谱（EPG）技术, 研究了不同强度UV-B胁迫处理小麦对麦长管蚜生命表参数和取食行为的影响。【结果】生命表结果表明, 取食高强度（0.75 mW/cm²） UV-B辐射小麦后, 麦长管蚜种群内禀增长率r_m、 净增殖率R₀、 繁殖力F下降, 平均世代周期T缩短, 且差异显著(P<0.05); 取食低强度（0.2 mW/cm²）UV-B辐射小麦后, 麦长管蚜种群生命表参数与对照组（正常光照处理小麦饲喂的蚜虫种群）无显著差异(P>0.05)。刺探电位图谱结果显示, 高强度UV-B处理组np波(即非取食)数量显著增加, pd波（刺探波）首次出现的时间延迟, 表明紫外处理小麦干扰了蚜虫的在叶表面的正常刺探活动, 延长了搜索和刺探时间; C波持续时间显著延长, 反映取食难度加大, 有效取食时间缩短, 从而影响种群生命表参数; 而低强度UV-B处理组小麦对蚜虫取食行为影响与对照组差异不显著, 但pd波首次出现时间显著延长。【结论】高强度UV-B胁迫小麦会严重影响麦长管蚜的生长发育、 繁殖与取食行为。     

转换寄主前后扶桑绵粉蚧取食行为的EPG分析

【目的】分析扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis在发生寄主转移前后的取食行为,以据此评价其寄主适应性。【方法】利用刺吸电位（EPG）技术,量化扶桑绵粉蚧转换寄主植物前后的取食行为并进行对比分析。【结果】寄主转换后,扶桑绵粉蚧的取食行为受到显著的影响,需要耗费更多的时间到达韧皮部,总取食时间显著变短,取食效率降低。但寄主转换后,下一代成虫的取食效率提高,总刺探数、取食刺探数、总刺探时间以及到达韧皮部的效率与时间均与寄主转换前的扶桑绵粉蚧个体不存在显著差异。【结论】扶桑绵粉蚧的取食行为存在高度可塑性,这种特性利于扩大其寄主植物范围,有可能是促其成为重要农业入侵生物的原因之一。     

麦长管蚜在高CO2浓度下生长的抗性与感性小麦品种上的取食行为

在加倍CO2浓度(0.7 mL/L)的人工气候箱中培养小麦感蚜品种(铭贤169)和抗蚜品种(KOK1679)幼苗30d,正常CO2浓度(0.35 mL/L)处理为对照.应用刺探电位图谱(EPG)技术对麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (Fab.),在苗期小麦上的取食行为进行了比较研究.结果表明:蚜虫在加倍CO2浓度下生长的2个小麦品种上的取食过程中,电势降落次数(pd波个数)显著增加,刺探总时间(C波总时间)显著延长,首次出现在小麦韧皮部取食的时间(E2)显著滞后,被动取食持续时间(E2波的总时间)显著拉长.因此,加倍CO2浓度可能通过影响小麦而对麦长管蚜的取食行为产生了明显的间接影响.     

基于EPG的麦长管蚜、麦二叉蚜和禾谷缢管蚜取食行为比较

麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (Fabricius),麦二叉蚜Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)和禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus)虽然都取食小麦,但其取食部位、传毒能力均有差异。利用EPG研究了3种麦蚜在同一寄主植物上的取食行为,结果显示:(1)禾谷缢管蚜在取食过程中G波出现的时间最早,G波总的持续时间和每次刺探G波的平均持续时间都明显长于麦长管蚜和麦二叉蚜。麦长管蚜第1次E1波的时间、E1波总的持续时间和每次刺探E1波的平均持续时间都明显比麦二叉蚜和禾谷缢管蚜要长。麦二叉蚜E2波总的持续时间和每次刺探E2波的平均持续时间都明显长于麦长管蚜和禾谷缢管蚜。表明3种蚜虫各自拥有不同取食策略。禾谷缢管蚜比其它两种蚜虫需要更多的水分和无机盐,麦长管蚜通过分泌大量唾液增大对食物的利用率,麦二叉蚜通过增加韧皮部取食时间以满足对营养的需要。(2)刺探过程中麦二叉蚜pd波出现的次数为(51.97±7.82)次,高于麦长管蚜的(44.73±4.52)次和禾谷缢管蚜的(32.99±4.22)次。麦二叉蚜pd波Ⅱ-2和Ⅱ-3亚波的时间最长,禾谷缢管蚜最短,三者之间差异达显著水平。表明与其它两种麦蚜相比,麦二叉蚜在取食过程中口针与细胞间的接触频率更高,与细胞内获毒和传毒相关的Ⅱ-3波和Ⅱ-2波持续时间更长,增加了获毒和传毒的几率,是其传毒能力最强的机理。     

应用EPG技术分析不同品种苜蓿对苜蓿斑蚜的抗性

【目的】明确苜蓿斑蚜Therioaphis trifolii对不同品种苜蓿Medicago sativa的取食行为,探明抗蚜因子和抗虫位点,筛选抗蚜苜蓿品种。【方法】利用刺吸电位技术(electrical penetration graph, EPG)记录苜蓿斑蚜成蚜在10个苜蓿品种上的取食行为,并基于聚类分析方法筛选合适的EPG参数进行抗蚜性评价。【结果】苜蓿斑蚜成蚜在取食苜蓿过程中呈现np波、pd波、A波、B波、C波、E波、F波和G波8种波形,其中E波、F波和G波的总时间在不同品种间表现出显著差异。在5 h测试期间,E波持续时间在敖汉上最长,金皇后和中苜3号上次之,草原2号和阿尔冈金上最短;F波总时间以准格尔、阿尔冈金和金皇后上最长,敖汉、德宝和草原2号上最短,说明前者具有较强的机械抗性而后者机械抗性较弱。以第1次刺探持续时间、总刺探时间、F波总时间、C波总时间、E波总时间作为聚类分析的指标,10个苜蓿品种被聚成3类：阿尔冈金、草原2号、WL168HQ、德宝、中苜2号和新牧2号为第Ⅰ类,金皇后、中苜3号和准格尔为第Ⅱ类,敖汉为第Ⅲ类。【结论】苜蓿斑蚜成蚜在不同苜蓿品种上的取食行为存在差异,草原2号、阿尔冈金和WL168HQ在叶表皮、叶肉和韧皮部层次对苜蓿斑蚜成蚜存在抗性,金皇后在叶表皮和叶肉部位表现出抗性;苜蓿斑蚜成蚜在敖汉上能够长时间刺吸取食,因此敖汉抗性最弱。本研究为深入探讨苜蓿抗虫机理和蚜虫综合治理提供了理论参考。     

E型麦二叉蚜在不同抗性表型燕麦上的取食行为

【目的】为了明确E型麦二叉蚜Schizaphis graminum在不同抗性表型燕麦品系上刺探取食行为的差异性,查明燕麦抗蚜因子。【方法】采用直流型刺吸电位仪(DC-EPG Giga-4)记录了E型麦二叉蚜无翅成蚜在10个抗性表型差异MN品系皮燕麦上A,B,C,Pd,E,F,G和np 8种基本波形的发生次数和持续时间。【结果】刺探电位图谱显示,E型麦二叉蚜在10个抗性表型差异MN品系皮燕麦上的识别时间在1.03~2.62 min之间。表型中抗的MN10253品系上非刺探时间相对较长,开始至首次刺探时间最长,分别为117.77和13.80 min,说明叶片表面可能存在不利于E型麦二叉蚜定位和识别寄主的干扰因子;表型中抗的MN08252品系上口针在叶肉组织和木质部刺探取食持续总时间以及开始至首次刺探木质部时间均为最短,分别为78.01,62.73和32.29 min,且np波发生次数多达28.57次,说明叶肉组织和木质部中可能存在抗蚜因子;表型低抗的MN06203品系上F波持续总时间和平均持续时间均最长,分别为4.96 min和5.81 s,说明该品系具有较强的机械抗性;表型低感的MN11213品系上E1时间最短,为1.94 min,开始至首次刺探韧皮部的时间最长,为246.05 min,说明抗蚜因子可能存在于韧皮部。【结论】皮燕麦表型中抗的MN10253品系叶片表面、MN08252品系的叶肉组织和木质部以及表型低感的MN11213品系韧皮部组织内可能存在抗蚜性因子,表型低抗的MN06203品系机械抗性较强。     

抗虫、耐除草剂转基因水稻对非靶标害虫玉米蚜取食行为影响的评价

【目的】通过研究转基因水稻对玉米蚜Rhopalosiphum maidis(Fitch)取食行为的影响,分析转基因水稻可能带来的潜在风险。【方法】采用Y-型嗅觉仪测定了玉米蚜对苗期水稻挥发物的行为反应,并利用EPG技术对玉米蚜的取食行为进行了分析。【结果】在转基因水稻和对照之间,玉米蚜选择非转基因水稻较多,但是差异不显著;反应时间则是非转基因水稻大于转基因水稻。而在两个转基因水稻品系(KMD1和KMD2)之间,玉米蚜极显著地选择KMD1。E1波累计持续时间的百分比反映了蚜虫花费在将唾液分泌到韧皮部筛管的时间所占的比例,这一点在KMD2和XS11之间存在显著差异(KMD2XS11);而np波累计持续时间的百分比则反映了蚜虫花费在移动和寻找取食位点上的时间所占的比例,这一点在223F-S21和XS134之间存在显著差异(223F-S21XS134);玉米蚜在G8-7和XS110上的取食行为没有显著的差异。【结论】2个供试转基因水稻材料(KMD2和223F-S21)有利于玉米蚜的取食。     

Aphid populations showing differential levels of virulence on Capsicum accessions

The green peach aphid,Myzus persicae,is one of the most threatening pests in pepper cultivation and growers would benefit from resistant varietices.Previously,we identified two Capsicum acessions as susceptible and three as resistant to M.persicae using an aphid population originating from the Netherlands(NL).Later on we identified an aphid population originating from a diferent gcographical region(Switserland,SW)that was virulent on all tested Capsicum acessions.The objeetive of the current work is to describe in detail diferent aspects of the interaction between two aphid populations and two sclected Capsicum acessions(one that was susceptible[PB2013046]and one that was resistant[PB2013071]to population NL),including biochemical processes involved.Electrical penetration graph(EPG)recordings showed similar feeding activities for both aphid populations on PB2013046.On acession PB2013071 the aphid population sw was able to devote significantly more time to phloem ingestion than population NL.We also studied plant defense response and found that plants of acession PB2013046 could not induce an accumulation of reactive oxygen species and callose formation after infestation with either aphid population.However,plants of PB2013071 induced a stronger defense response after infestation by population NL than after infestation by population SW.Based on these results,population SW of M.persicae seems to have overcome the resistance of PB2013071 that prevented feeding of aphids from NL population.The potential mechanism by which SW population overcomes the resistance is discussed.     

Induced resistance by Myzus persicae in the peach cultivar `Rubira''

The effect of a previous infestation by the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) on the settling behaviour and reproduction of the same aphid species was investigated in the resistant peach cultivar Rubira, and compared with that observed in the susceptible control cultivar GF305. A previous infestation of 48 h triggered induced resistance in Rubira. There were significantly fewer aphids settling on preinfested than on uninfested plants, indicating an increased rejection of Rubira as a host plant. The level of induced resistance in preinfested plants was positively related to the duration of the first infestation. In GF305, previous infestation had no detrimental effect on aphid settlement and even slightly enhanced larviposition by adult females. The aphid probing behaviour after a 48-h preinfestation was also monitored for 8 h with the electrical peneration graph (EPG) technique. On preinfested GF305, most EPG parameters indicated an enhanced host plant acceptance. On preinfested GF305, aphids produced less sieve element salivation and more continuous sap ingestion than on uninfested GF305, indicating that the previous aphids provoked changes in plant properties beneficial to the test aphids. In Rubira, a major induced factor of resistance was thought to be expressed in the sieve element as phloem sap ingestion was 4-fold shorter on preinfested than on uninfested plants. The time taken by the aphid stylets to reach a sieve element was also significantly increased on preinfested Rubira, suggesting the induction of resistance factors outside the phloem. The originality of the Rubira/M. persicae interaction is discussed in the perspective of a better understanding of plant induced responses to aphids.     

Direct and Indirect Impacts of Infestation of Tomato Plant by Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The impacts of infestation by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) on sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) settling on tomato were determined in seven separate experiments with whole plants and with detached leaves through manipulation of four factors: durations of aphid infestation, density of aphids, intervals between aphid removal after different durations of infestation and the time of whitefly release, and leaf positions on the plants. The results demonstrated that B. tabaci preferred to settle on the plant leaves that had not been infested by aphids when they had a choice. The plant leaves on which aphids were still present (direct effect) had fewer whiteflies than those previously infested by aphids (indirect effect). The whiteflies were able to settle on the plant which aphids had previously infested, and also could settle on leaves with aphids if no uninfested plants were available. Tests of direct factors revealed that duration of aphid infestation had a stronger effect on whitefly landing preference than aphid density; whitefly preference was the least when 20 aphids fed on the leaves for 72 h. Tests of indirect effects revealed that the major factor that affected whitefly preference for a host plant was the interval between the time of aphid removal after infestation and the time of whitefly release. The importance of the four factors that affected the induced plant defense against whiteflies can be arranged in the following order: time intervals between aphid removal and whitefly release > durations of aphid infestation > density of aphids > leaf positions on the plants. In conclusion, the density of aphid infestation and time for which they were feeding influenced the production of induced compounds by tomatoes, the whitefly responses to the plants, and reduced interspecific competition.     

Resistance induction and herbivore virulence in the interaction between Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and a major aphid resistance gene (Rm2) from peach

In gene-for-gene host–enemy interactions, monogenic plant resistance results from pathogen recognition that initiates the induction of plant defense responses. Schematically, as the result of the on/off process of recognition, phenotypic variability in enemy virulence is expected to be qualitative, with either a failure or a success of host colonization. We focussed on a major gene from peach conferring avoidance resistance against the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. Measurements of herbivore density and time-dependent aspects of resistance induction were examined, as well as variability in the aphid’s ability to exploit the resistant host. Varying densities of infestation did not provoke differences in the aphid’s tendency to leave a plant, and a single aphid was sufficient to elicit a response. Similarly, the duration of infestation did not affect the aphid response. A brief aphid feeding time of 3 h triggered induced resistance, which became effective between 24 and 48 h after the initial attack. Induced resistance decayed over time in the absence of additional infestation. Thirty aphid genotypes collected from natural populations were tested in the laboratory. No clone could colonize the resistant host, suggesting that all of them triggered the induction of effective plant defense responses. However, we detected significant quantitative variation among clones in the tendency of aphids to leave plants. These results improve our understanding of induced resistance as a dynamic phenomenon and suggest that the potential for aphids to adapt to a major plant resistance gene may depend on factors other than the mere capacity to evade recognition.     

施钾与蚜害处理后马铃薯叶片中多酚氧化酶活性的变化

蚜虫危害是影响马铃薯Solanum tuberosum产量和品质的重要因素之一, 而多酚氧化酶（polyphenol oxidase, PPO）与植物的抗性密切相关。为了阐明施钾条件下马铃薯与桃蚜Myzus persicae的关系, 本实验通过比色法、 iTRAQ技术和蛋白免疫印迹法研究了对照（不施钾, 不接虫）、 接虫、 施钾以及施钾＋接虫4种处理后马铃薯叶片中多酚氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明： 施钾显著降低桃蚜种群数量。随着桃蚜发育期延长, 桃蚜的种群数量显著低于对照, 且6 g/株施钾量对桃蚜种群数量的抑制效果最强。以6 g/株作为施钾量, 对不同处理后马铃薯叶片中多酚氧化酶活性研究显示, 施钾、 接虫+施钾处理均使马铃薯叶片中PPO活性显著提高, 分别比对照增加了44%和67%。通过液相色谱 质谱/质谱联用仪（LC-MS/MS） 分析, 接虫、 施钾、 接虫+施钾处理均不同程度上调了PPO蛋白表达量。Western杂交结果显示： 施钾、 接虫+施钾处理显著增加了PPO的相对表达量, 且接虫+施钾处理使该相对表达量达到最高。结果说明, 施钾、 接虫+施钾处理通过诱导马铃薯叶片中的PPO活性, 从一个侧面提高了马铃薯抗蚜虫能力。     

Metabolic Engineering of Plant-derived (E)-β-farnesene Synthase Genes for a Novel Type of Aphid-resistant Genetically Modified Crop Plants

Aphids are major agricultural pests that cause significant yield losses of crop plants each year.Excessive dependence on insec-ticides for long-term aphid control is undesirable because of the development of insecticide resistance,the potential negative effects on non-target organisms and environmental pollution.Transgenic crops engineered for resistance to aphids via a non-toxic mode of action could be an efficient alternative strategy.(E)-β-Farnesene (EβF) synthases catalyze the formation of EβF,which for many pest aphids is the main component of the alarm pheromone involved in the chemical communication within these species.EβF can also be synthesized by certain plants but is then normally contaminated with inhibitory compounds.Engineering of crop plants capable of synthesizing and emitting EβF could cause repulsion of aphids and also the attraction of natural enemies that use EβF as a foraging cue,thus minimizing aphid infestation.In this review,the effects of aphids on host plants,plants' defenses against aphid herbivory and the recruitment of natural enemies for aphid control in an agricultural setting are briefly introduced.Furthermore,the plant-derived EβF synthase genes cloned to date along with their potential roles in generating novel aphid resistance via genetically modified approaches are discussed.     

Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) feeding on Arabidopsis induces the formation of a deterrent indole glucosinolate

Cruciferous plants produce a wide variety of glucosinolates as a protection against herbivores and pathogens. However, very little is known about the importance of individual glucosinolates in plant defense and the regulation of their production in response to herbivory. When Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) feeds on Arabidopsis aliphatic glucosinolates pass through the aphid gut intact, but indole glucosinolates are mostly degraded. Although aphid feeding causes an overall decrease in Arabidopsis glucosinolate content, the production of 4-methoxyindol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate is induced. This altered glucosinolate profile is not a systemic plant response, but is limited to the area in which aphids are feeding. Aphid feeding on detached leaves causes a similar change in the glucosinolate profile, demonstrating that glucosinolate transport is not required for the observed changes. Salicylate-mediated signaling has been implicated in other plant responses to aphid feeding. However, analysis of eds5, pad4, npr1 and NahG transgenic Arabidopsis, which are compromised in this pathway, demonstrated that aphid-induced changes in the indole glucosinolate profile were unaffected. The addition of purified indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate to the petioles of cyp79B2 cyp79B3 mutant leaves, which do not produce indole glucosinolates, showed that this glucosinolate serves as a precursor for the aphid-induced synthesis of 4-methoxyindol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate. In artificial diets, 4-methoxyindol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate is a significantly greater aphid deterrent in the absence of myrosinase than its metabolic precursor indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate. Together, these results demonstrate that, in response to aphid feeding, Arabidopsis plants convert one indole glucosinolate to another that provides a greater defensive benefit.     

Probing behaviour of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae on resistant Prunus genotypes

Electrical penetration graphs of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) feeding behaviour on four resistant and two susceptible genotypes of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and related species showed that resistance was mainly linked to (i) reduced duration of phloem sap uptake, (ii) reduced percentage of pattern E1 (salivary secretion into sieve elements) followed by pattern E2 (sap ingestion) and (iii) increased number of shifts from E1 to E2 and back. These results suggest the unsuitability of phloem sap, and thus repetitive failures to initiate sustained ingestion. Extensive comparisons of the EPGs also revealed more specific trends. Aphids on the most susceptible cultivar GF305 produced significantly longer potential drops than on other peach genotypes. On the resistant Rubira, aphids generated more penetrations before the first E occurred, indicating the possible presence of a resistance factor before the phloem was reached. The clone P1908 of the wild species Prunus davidiana displayed traits of both susceptibility (less but longer probes) and resistance. In particular, aphids produced more E1, suggesting difficulties in preparing sieve elements before feeding. The aphid probing process could be correlated with aphid settling behaviour and bionomics, as previously reported, and gave evidence for the existence of different mechanisms underlying resistance in the tested genotypes against M. persicae.