Host status of ‘Scifresh’ apples to the invasive fruit fly species Bactrocera dorsalis,Zeugodacus cucurbitae,and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

We conducted no-choice cage and field infestation studies to determine if the fruit of apples (Malus x domestica L., ‘Scifresh’) are hosts for three invasive tephritid fruit fly species that may enter New Zealand or other apple growing areas. In screen cage tests, punctured and unpunctured (intact) fruit of ‘Scifresh’ apples were exposed to gravid females of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Oriental fruit fly), Zeugodacus (Bactrocera) cucurbitae (Coquillet) (melon fly), or Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Mediterranean fruit fly), outdoors for 24 h and then held on sand in the laboratory for four weeks for pupal development and adult emergence. Unpunctured fruit produced an average of 269.4, 4.3 and 70.1 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. Punctured fruit produced an average of 619.4, 0.8 and 129.5 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. By comparison, unpunctured and punctured papaya fruit (Carica papaya, ‘Rainbow’, a preferred host) produced 206–675 and 464–735 puparia per kg of fruit, respectively, across all species. In general, the average weight of individual fruit fly puparia from apple was significantly less (41–71%) than that of puparia reared from papaya, and development times were slower on apple than on papaya. Overall, ‘Scifresh’ apples were a moderately good host for B. dorsalis and C. capitata, and a very poor host for Z. cucurbitae in cage tests. Field exposure of ‘Scifresh’ apples suspended from papaya trees resulted in no infestation by B. dorsalis or Z. cucurbitae under natural conditions. This information will help to inform decisions about quarantine restrictions and potential crop loss in the event of incursions of these fruit flies into apple-producing countries.     

The active space of blue monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey vocalizations

The audible distance of 11 primate vocalizations uttered by blue monkeys, Cercopithecus mitis, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, Cercocebus albigena, and the human utterance ‘hey’ were determined experimentally. Calculations were based on measurements of (1) sound power of vocal signals (Brown: Bioacoustics, in press), (2) the attenuation rates of sound of different frequencies in East African forests (Waser & Brown: Am. J. Primatol., 1986, 10, 135–154), and (3) sensitivity of conspecific listeners to vocal signals presented in forest noise. Calculations were made of the active space, the area over which a call is audible, and the expected number of recipients of signals in nature. Masked thresholds for test vocalizations ranged from 21·1 dB for the mangabey ‘staccato bark’ call to 41·3 dB for the blue monkey ‘boom’ vocalization. The audible distance of the test signals ranged from 79 m for the blue monkey ‘chirp’ call to 1951 m for the mangabey ‘chorused grunt’ vocalization. Calls could be grouped into short- and long-range signals. The audible distance of primate long-range calls varied between 2·4 and nine times that of a typical yell given by human subjects. The active space of the test signals ranged from 1·4 to 1031·8 ha. The mean active space of monkey long-range calls (445·4 ha) was more than an order of magnitude greater than the loudest human yell. The average blue monkey long-range call was audible for 870 m, while the average mangabey long-range call was audible for 1800 m. The typical mangabey home range is four times that of the blue monkey, and in both species the average long-range call had an audible distance twice the diameter of the median home range of each species.     

Thermal and hygric physiology of Australian burrowing mygalomorph spiders (Aganippe spp.)

This study investigated the standard metabolic rate (SMR) and evaporative water loss (EWL) responses of three Australian trapdoor-constructing mygalomorph spider species, two undescribed arid-zone species (Aganippe ‘Tropicana A’ and A. ‘Tropicana B’) and a mesic-dwelling species (A. rhaphiduca) to acute environmental regimes of temperature and relative humidity. There were significant effects of species, temperature, and relative humidity on SMR. SMR was lower for A. raphiduca than both A. ‘Tropicana’ spp. with no difference between the two A. ‘Tropicana’ spp. Metabolic rate increased at higher temperature and relative humidity for all three species. There were significant effects of species, temperature, and relative humidity on EWL. The mesic Aganippe species had a significantly higher EWL than either arid Tropicana species. EWL was significantly higher at lower relative humidity. Our results suggest an environmental effect on EWL but not SMR, and that mygalomorphs are so vulnerable to desiccation that the burrow provides a crucial refuge to ameliorate the effects of low environmental humidity. We conclude that mygalomorphs are highly susceptible to disturbance, and are of high conservation value as many are short-range endemics.     

Novel Phaseolin types in wild and cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris,Fabaceae)

Forty-one wild types and 41 cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) from Meso-and South America were screened for variability of phaseolin seed protein using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) and two-dimensional isoelectric focusing SDS/PAGE. Wild accessions from the Andean region showed phaseolin types which had not been previously identified in wild material from that region. Other wild accessions from Argentina exhibited novel phaseolin patterns collectively designated as ‘J’ (‘Jujuy’) phaseolin types, and one accession from northern Peru exhibited a novel phaseolin type, the ‘I’ (‘Inca’) type. The ‘H’ and ‘C’ phaseolins, previously identified only in cultivars, were observed in several wild accessions from Argentina. Among cultivars, two minor variants of the ‘S’ phaseolin type were identified. The ‘Sb’ (‘S Brazil’) was characteristic of a limited number of cultivars from Brazil whereas the ‘Sd’ (‘S Durango 222’) predominated in cultivars of the Mexican central highlands. The distribution of the previously described ‘B’ phaseolin appeared to be larger than formerly known as it extended not only in Colombia but also in Central America. It is possible to correlate the ‘Sb’, ‘Sd’, and ‘B’ phaseolin types with certain agronomic traits.     

Lead,zinc and iron (Fe2+) tolerances in wetland plants and relation to root anatomy and spatial pattern of ROL

Metal (Pb, Zn and Fe²⁺) tolerances, root anatomy and profile of radial oxygen loss (ROL) along the root (i.e., spatial pattern of ROL) were studied in 10 emergent wetland plants. The species studied could be classified into three groups. Group I included Alternanthera philoxeroides, Beckmannia syzigachne, Oenanthe javanica and Polypogon fugax, with high ROL along the whole length of root (‘partial barrier’ to ROL). Group II included Cyperus flabelliformis, Cyperus malaccensis, Juncus effusus, Leersia hexandra and Panicum paludosum, ROL of which was remarkably high just behind the root apex, but decreased significantly at relatively basal regions (‘tight barrier’ to ROL). Group III consisted of only Neyraudia reynaudiana, with extremely low ROL along the length of root. The results indicated that metal tolerance in wetland plants was related to root anatomy and spatial pattern of ROL. Co-evolution of metal (Fe and Zn) tolerance and flood tolerance possibly developed in wetland plants since species showing a ‘tight barrier’ to ROL (a common trait of flood-tolerant species) in basal root zones had higher Fe and Zn tolerances than those showing a ‘partial barrier’. Root anatomy such as lignin and suberin deposition contributed to a ‘tight barrier’ in root and conferred to exclusion ability in tolerant species.     

Diversity and composition of arboreal beetle assemblages in tropical pasture afforestations: effects of planting schemes and tree species identity

Timber tree plantations are considered for rehabilitating forest biodiversity in the tropics, but knowledge on determinants of faunal diversity patterns in such human-modified forest landscapes is scarce. We quantified the composition of beetle assemblages on three native timber species (Anacardium excelsum, Cedrela odorata and Tabebuia rosea) planted on former pasture to assess effects of tree species identity, tree species diversity, and insecticide treatment on a speciose group of animals in tropical plantations. The beetle assemblage parameters ‘abundance’, ‘species richness’, ‘Chao1 estimated species richness’ and ‘Shannon diversity’ were significantly reduced by insecticide treatment for each tree species. Shannon diversity increased with stand diversification for T. rosea but not for A. excelsum and C. odorata. Species similarity was highest (lowest species turnover) between beetle assemblages on T. rosea, and it was lowest (highest species turnover) for assemblages on insecticide-treated trees of all timber species. Considering trophic guilds, herbivorous beetles dominated on all tree species and in all planting schemes. Herbivores were significantly more dominant on T. rosea and C. odorata than on A. excelsum, suggesting that tree species identity affects beetle guild structure on plantation trees. Insecticide-treated stands harbored less herbivores than untreated stands, but exhibited a high abundance of predator beetle species. Our study revealed that even young pasture-afforestations can host diverse beetle assemblages and thus contribute to biodiversity conservation in the tropics. The magnitude of this contribution, however, may strongly depend on management measures and on the selected tree species.     

A comparison of the geometric configurations adopted by radiation-induced chromatid interchanges in animals and plants

An analysis of radiation-induced chromatid interchanges in four animal and five plant species indicates that polarised (P) and X-type interchanges occur relatively more frequently in the plants, but non-polarised (N) and U type interchanges occur more frequently in the animals. An explanation of this difference, compatible with the observed geometric shapes of these interchanges and their differing propensity to incompleteness, is that; (a) in all the organisms examined, U- and X-type exchanges are formed during interphase between polarised chromosomes, i.e. they are notional ‘PU’ and ‘PX’ types, (b) the ratio ‘PU’ : ‘PX’ is similar in both animals and plants, (c) a proportion of these exchanges is established during interphase between looped and unlooped (and possibly terminal overlapping) segments, and this proportion is greater in animals; as a result of subsequent chromatin condensation these ‘PU’ and ‘PX’ exchanges may be converted to NU and NX types respectively, (d) ‘PX’ exchanges which are not converted by this mechanism, and NX exchanges which arise in late prophase as a result of this mechanism, are unstable and may be converted during prometaphase to the more stable NU and PU configurations respectively, (e) transformations (d) are relatively more frequent in the animal species because the flexural and tensional regidities of the chromosomes are greater than in the plant chromosomes.     

Formation of the N2-acetyl-2,6-diaminopurine oligonucleotide impurity caused by acetyl capping

The acetyl ‘capping’ reaction routinely employed during phosphorothioate oligonucleotide synthesis has been implicated in the formation of an impurity species with a mass 41 amu greater than the expected oligonucleotide molecule. The impurity has been found to arise by conversion of a protected guanine nucleobase to N²-acetyl-2,6-diaminopurine. A two-part mechanism is proposed consisting of transamidation of the protecting group on guanine and substitution of guanine’s O⁶ atom.     

Some observations on mating behaviour of several cranes in captivity

Responding to the actions of the mate and taking somewhat fixed patterns,Grus japonensis, G. vipio, G. antigone, Anthropoides paradisea andBalearica regulorum pairs are finally led to copulation by a sequence of mating behaviours. There are slight differences in pre-copulatory behaviour patterns between the species and the female's ‘wing-spreading’, being the soliciting and key posture for copulation, differs between the genera; The female's wings are spread wide inGrus, fairly wide inAnthropoides, and are almost folded inBalearica. Post-copulatory behaviours, however, have definite species-specific characters. They usually consist of ‘head-down’ (bowing) or ‘warping’, ‘arching’, etc. immediately following the dismounting of the male inGrus. But a pair ofBalearica first keep their heads high, or gaze at each other for a while, and then show remarkable ‘ruffle-bowing’. These characteristic post-copulatory behaviours are obviously correlated with the threat displays, evolved under agonistic situations, typical to each species.     

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the ‘manna lichens’

We present ataxonomic revision of the ‘manna lichens’ based on morphological, chemical, ecological and molecular data. A large number of herbarium specimens and fresh collections were examined. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using nuclear ribosomal (nrITS, nrLSU) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequences. Some notable phenotypic characters were plotted on the phylogenetic tree, and the analysis reveals that some of these characters are useful for genus and species level distinction of certain ‘manna lichens.’ Phylogeny of the Megasporaceae was revised using a combined data set of nrLSU and mtSSU and performing parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Five genera (Aspicilia, Circinaria, Lobothallia, Megaspora and Sagedia) are recognized. Further, the relationships of five presumably closely related genera of ‘manna lichens’, namely Agrestia (vagrant), Aspicilia (crustose) Circinaria (crustose), Chlorangium (vagrant) and Sphaerothallia (vagrant) with different growth forms were analysed. The analyses revealed that ‘manna lichens’ do not form a monophyletic group but occur in different clades within the genus Circinaria. The genera Agrestia, Chlorangium and Sphaerothallia are assigned as new synonyms under the genus Circinaria and no vagrant or erratic species remain in the genus Aspicilia. The analyses also show that five new erratic, vagrant and crustose species can be recognized. In this study two ‘manna lichens’, viz. Circinaria rostamii sp. nov. (Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey), and Circinaria gyrosa sp. nov. (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Spain) are described as new to science. Three potentially new species with crustose and erratic forms need additional study. Aspicilia fruticolosofoliacea is reduced to synonymy under C. alpicola, and a lectotype is designated for C. aspera. Thirteen new combinations in Circinaria are presented. The phenomenon of vagrancy is briefly discussed, and the biogeography of the ‘manna lichens’ is outlined. Illustrations, distribution maps, and an identification key to the species are provided.     

The evolutionary significance of wing dimorphism in carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

A review of data on the background of wing dimorphism in carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and especially of the closely relatedCalathus cinctus andC. melanocephalus is given. In bothCalathus species wing dimorphism is inherited in a simple Mendelian fashion with the brachypterous condition dominant, but inC. melanocephalus the expression of the long winged genotype is under environmental control as well. The development of long winged phenotypes in the latter species is favoured by relatively favourable environmental conditions, such as high temperatures and a high food-supply. The higher fecundity of the larger and heavier long winged females of both species may compensate for losses of long winged phenotypes by flight activities. The evolutionary significance of both types of inheritance is discussed in relation to dispersal. The ‘fixed type’ as found inC. cinctus is considered an opportunistic short term ‘between sites strategy’, whereas the ‘dynamic type’ ofC. melanocephalus represents a flexible long term ‘within sites strategy’.     

Improved Transformation Efficiency in Citrus by Plasmolysis Treatment

Procedures for high efficiency production of transgenic citrus plants using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens system with plasmolysis treatment were developed. Longitudinally cut epicotyl segments of eight different citrus species [’Milam’ Rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush), ‘Volkamer’ lemon (Citrus volkameriana L), Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia L), ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L Osbeck), ‘Duncan’ grapefruit (’Citrus paradisi’ Macf), Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L), ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L Osbeck x Poncirus trifoliata L Raf) ] were plasmolyzed in different concentrations of sucrose and maltose [0, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 % (w/v) ] prior to Agrobacterium inoculation. Plasmolyzed epicotyl explants were cocultivated with either the hypervirulent Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain, the EHA-101 (harboring a binary vector pGA482GG) or Agl-1 (carrying pCAMBIA1303 vector). Both binary vectors contained neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) and β-glucuronidase (GUS) genes. The binary vector, pCAMBIA1303 also contained a fused mGFP5 gene at the 3’ end of GUS gene as a reporter. Epicotyl explants of Rangpur lime, Rough and ‘Volkamer’ lemons plasmolyzed in 9–12 % maltose showed transient GUS gene expression comprising up to 95 % of the cut surface of explants, while Carrizo citrange showed 80 % expression when they were plasmolyzed in 6–10 % sucrose. On the other hand, epicotyl explants of ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange, Grapefruit, Sour orange and ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin showed transient GUS expession in 80–90 % of explants with 6–10 % sucrose. Basal portions of the regenerated putative transgenic shoots harvested from the cut surface of epicotyl explants within 2–3 months, were assayed for GUS, and apical portions were shoot-tip grafted in vivo for the production of whole plants. The transformation efficiencies in different species obtained are the highest so far reported for citrus.     

On the evolution of ‘Indian Bison type’ strains of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne's disease (JD) in animals, has also been linked with Crohn's disease in human beings. Lack of indigenous diagnostics and vaccine hampered control of JD in India. Designing effective control strategies require thorough understanding of the etiological agent at phenotypic and molecular levels. On the basis of cultural phenotypes and IS1311 PCR-REA typing, MAP strains have been genotyped as ‘Cattle type’, ‘Sheep type’ and ‘Bison type’. Information exists on genetic differences and comparative evolution of ‘Cattle type’ and ‘Sheep type’ strains after divergence from M. avium; however, emphasis has been little on ‘Bison type’ strains. Recently, a new ‘Indian Bison type’ genotype has been reported as principal strain infecting different animal species and human beings in India. The study analyzed few genetic markers to have inferences on the molecular evolution of native MAP isolates belonging to ‘Bison type’ genotype. Results pointed towards recent evolution of ‘Bison type’ genotype.     

Predictors of invasion success by Daphnia species: influence of food, temperature and species identity

Non-indigenous North American Daphnia ‘pulex’ has recently invaded lakes and reservoirs in South Island, New Zealand, that formerly contained only native Daphnia carinata. New Zealand is characterised by a wide range of freshwater ecosystems and low species diversity of planktonic crustaceans, particularly Cladocera. The potential success of a species to invade and establish in a new community is likely to be predicted more accurately when reproductive response norms and fitness of key resident species, as well as the non-indigenous species, have been established under a range of relevant environmental conditions. Based on the results of experiments to test aspects of reproduction and fitness of the invader, D. ‘pulex’, and D. carinata when grown together at a range of relevant temperatures (8–23 °C) and related photoperiods, I predict the species-specific potential of D. ‘pulex’ to be dispersed and colonise New Zealand lentic habitats, and the potential of D. carinata to persist with the invader in these habitats. Larger population densities of D. ‘pulex’ compared to D. carinata at higher temperatures and food level, and larger densities of D. carinata at low temperatures, imply a potential for both species to coexist in New Zealand lakes, facilitated by seasonal succession; increased water temperature and nutrient input associated with climate and land use changes appear likely to promote the wider establishment of D. ‘pulex’, with both negative and positive implications for the conservation and management of New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems.     

New sources of gutta-percha in Garrya flavescens and G. wrightii

Analyses of extracts from whole-plant samples revealed that Garrya flavescens and Garrya wrightii produced gutta (trans-1,4-polyisoprene) as the major hydrocarbon in yields of 1.2 and 0.4 %, respectively. The average MWs of gutta were 142000 for G. flavescens and 10000 for G. wrightii. These species also yielded moderate amounts of ‘oil’ and ‘polyphenol’. To our knowledge, these are the first species of Garryaceae reported to produce gutta.     

The role of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes in pear fruit that differ in sucrose accumulation

In the paper, the soluble sugar composition and activities of enzymes metabolizing sucrose: invertase (β-fructosidase, EC 3.2.1.26), sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13) and sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) were investigated during fruit development of two pear species: Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. ‘Yali’ and P. pyrifolia Nakai cv. ‘Aikansui’, characterized as low and high sucrose types, respectively. It was found that, at the end of fruit development of ‘Aikansui’, the level of sucrose was five times higher than in ‘Yali’ in the same period. It was coincident with the significantly higher activities of SS (synthesis) and SPS and lower activities of invertase (vacuolar and cell wall-bound acid invertase and neutral invertase). The high correlation was found between sucrose level and SS (synthesis) and SPS activities in ‘Aikansui’ pears.     

Assessment of cultivated cherry germplasm in Iran by multivariate analysis

Key message

This work is an important step in the conservation of genetic cherry resources, which showed distinctive and interesting agronomical characters. Also it introduces suitable genotypes for cultivation and breeding studies.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize cherry germplasm that is cultivated in Iran. Thirty-three morphopomological parameters were studied in this germplasm, consisting of 70 cherry genotypes (41 sweet cherry, 24 sour cherry and 5 duke cherry genotypes). A wide variation was found in blooming time, ripening time, fruit weight, fruit color, anthocyanin, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), fruit dimensions and flesh firmness and stone size. There were close positive correlations between fruit weight and fruit dimensions, and between fruit weight and fruit stalk weight, fruit flesh firmness and cracking and also a negative correlation between pH and TA. Dendrogram gave a clear separation between the sour, duke and sweet cherry species and also showed existing intraspecific morphological variation. Based on fruit size and organoleptic properties, the sweet cherry genotypes ‘Siah-Mashhad’, ‘Takdaneh-Mashhad’, ‘Shabestar’, ‘Siah-Daneshkade’, ‘Ghazvin’ and ‘Droongezna’ are recommended for fresh consumption. Good fruit chemical composition and late-ripening time stands out genotypes ‘Dirres-Italia’, ‘Dirres-Pardis’, ‘Maremoot’, ‘Abardeh’ and ‘Rorshon’ and make them suitable for processing. Also, ‘Gilas46’ and ‘Gilas49’ were substantially late-ripening, a characteristic that makes these genotypes highly suitable for breeding studies in case of ripening time. Furthermore, sour cherries ‘Hashtgerd2’ and ‘Hashtgerd3’ and duke cherries ‘Pardis1’ and ‘Pardis3’ were the best genotypes. This work is an important step in the conservation of genetic cherry resources in Iran, which showed distinctive and interesting agronomical characters such as low susceptibility to fruit cracking, high levels of total soluble solids, early fruit maturity and high fruit quality.     

Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) of ‘Rickettsiella agriotidis’, an Intracellular Bacterial Pathogen of Agriotes Wireworms

Wireworms, the polyphagous larvae of click beetles belonging to the genus Agriotes (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are severe and widespread agricultural pests that affect numerous crops globally. A new bacterial specimen identified in diseased wireworms had previously been shown by microscopy and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-based phylogenetic reconstruction to belong to the taxonomic genus Rickettsiella (Gammaproteobacteria) that comprises intracellular bacteria associated with and typically pathogenic for a wide range of arthropods. Going beyond these earlier results obtained from rRNA phylogenies, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using a four marker scheme has been employed in the molecular taxonomic characterization of the new Rickettsiella pathotype, referred to as ‘Rickettsiella agriotidis’. In combination with likelihood-based significance testing, the MLSA approach demonstrated the close phylogenetic relationship of ‘R. agriotidis’ to the pathotypes ‘Rickettsiella melolonthae’ and ‘Rickettsiella tipulae’, i.e., subjective synonyms of the nomenclatural type species, Rickettsiella popilliae. ‘R. agriotidis’ forms, therefore, part of a Rickettsiella pathotype complex that most likely represents the species R. popilliae. As there are currently no genetic data available from the R. popilliae type strain, the respective assignment cannot be corroborated directly. However, an alternative taxonomic assignment to the species Rickettsiella grylli has been positively ruled out by significance testing. MLSA has been shown to provide a more powerful tool for taxonomic delineation within the genus Rickettsiella as compared to 16S rRNA phylogenetics. However, the limitations of the present MLSA scheme for the sub-species level classification of ‘R. agriotidis’ and further R. popilliae synonyms has been critically evaluated.     

Intraspecific variation in alkaloid profile of four lupine species with implications for the pea aphid probing behaviour

The alkaloid profile of white lupine Lupinus albus L. cv. ‘Boros’ and ‘Butan’, narrow-leaf lupine L. angustifolius L. cv. ‘Bojar’, ‘Graf’, ‘Karo’, ‘Mirela’, and ‘Sonet’, yellow lupine L. luteus L. cv. ‘Dukat’, ‘Parys’, ‘Perkoz’, and ‘Talar’, and wild species big-leaf lupine L. polyphyllus Lindl. was studied. The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris probing behaviour was monitored using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique.Four types of feeding behaviour were recognized. First, on highly acceptable L. luteus cv. ‘Dukat’, the total and mean duration of probing, time to reach phloem phase, and the duration of the first phloem phase were comparable to those in aphids on control plant Pisum sativum. Second, on partially acceptable L. luteus cv. ‘Talar’, pathway activities were slightly impeded, and the probes were more numerous and slightly shorter than on control plants. The phloem phase occurred sporadically, and feeding was terminated early after a brief period of ingestion. Third, on unpalatable but acceptable L. angustifolius cv. ‘Bojar’ and ‘Sonet’, and L. luteus cv. ‘Parys’ and ‘Perkoz’, the probes were numerous and usually epidermal. The phloem phase occurred rarely, and when it did, it was short and consisted mainly of watery salivation. Finally, on unacceptable L. albus cv. ‘Boros’ and ‘Butan’, L. angustifolius cv. ‘Graf’, ‘Karo’, ‘Mirela’, and L. polyphyllus, total probing time and individual probes were short and phloem phase did not occur.Eighteen alkaloids were identified: one piperidine alkaloid (ammodendrine), one indole (gramine), ten quinolizidine alkaloids (one tricyclic and nine tetracyclic compounds), and six esters. All lupine varieties that contained lupanine, its derivatives and especially their esters appeared to be unacceptable to the pea aphid, independent of the total concentration of any specific lupanine alkaloid. In contrast, sparteine and its derivatives did not seem to affect aphid probing significantly.