Has the Attraction of Predatory Coccinellids to Cornicle Droplets Constrained Aphid Alarm Signaling Behavior?

When attacked by a predator, aphids of many species secrete cornicle droplets, containing an alarm pheromone, that results in the dispersal of nearby conspecifics. As females are parthenogenetic, alarm signaling functions to enhance the survival of clone-mates. Enigmatically, however, aphids are physically able to, but usually do not emit alarm pheromone when initially detecting a predator, but rather signal only when captured by a predator. We hypothesized that cornicle droplets may be attractive to natural enemies and result in an increased risk of predation for the signaler, thereby selecting for prudent alarm signalers. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the olfactory cues that the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, uses to locate pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum. In choice tests, H. axyridis were attracted to odors from pea aphid colonies, whether feeding or not feeding on a host plant leaf, but were not attracted to cornicle droplets containing alarm pheromone. Further, individual pea aphids emitting cornicle droplets were not located more often or in a shorter period of time by beetles than aphids not emitting cornicle droplets. Thus, the cost of emitting early alarm signals is not prohibitively high in regards to the attraction of predators such as H. axyridis.     

Influence of cornicle droplet secretions of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae,on parasitism behavior of na＇fve and experienced Diaeretiella rapae

Insects have evolved amazing methods of defense to ward off enemies. Many aphids release cornicle secretions when attacked by predators and parasitoids. These se cretions contain an alarm pheromone that alerts other colony members of danger, thereby providing indirect fitness benefits to the releaser. In addition, contact with cornicle se cretions could also threaten an attacker and could provide direct fitness to the releaser. However, cornicle secretions may also be recruited as a kairomonal cue by aphid natural enemies. In this study, we investigated the effect of the cornicle droplet volatiles of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae （L.）, on the hostsearching behavior of naive and experienced female Diaeretiella rapae （M＇Intosh） parasitoids in olfactometer studies. In addition, we evaluated the role ofB. brassicae cornicle droplets on the oviposition prefer ence of the parasitoid in a twochoice bioassay. Naive females did not exhibit any preference between volatiles from aphids secreting cornicle droplets over nonsecreting aphids, while experienced parasitoids exploited the secretions in their host location. Experienced females were also able to choose volatiles from both secreting and nonsecreting aphids over clean air, while this ability was not observed in naive females. Although secretion of cornicle droplets did not influence the percentage of first attack in either naive or experienced females, the success of attack （i.e. resulting in a larva） was significantly different between secreting and nonsecreting aphids in the case of experienced parasitoids.     

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.     

Oviposition avoidance of parasitized aphid colonies by the syrphid predator Episyrphus balteatus mediated by different cues

Oviposition decisions made by members of a guild of natural enemies can have evolved to avoid intraguild predation, potentially avoiding the disruption of the extraguild prey control. We have studied the oviposition preference of the aphidophagous predator Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) within colonies of Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the presence of two developmental stages of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae). Results from a greenhouse choice experiment showed that E. balteatus females lay significantly fewer eggs in colonies with mummified aphids than in unparasitized colonies. Colonies of parasitized, but not yet mummified did not contain significantly fewer eggs than colonies with unparasitized aphids. In three no-choice experiments, we assessed stimuli coming from aphid honeydew, from the aphids themselves and also from extracts of the aphid bodies, and all of these stimuli mediate the discrimination of mummified aphids from healthy aphids. To a lesser extent these stimuli also contribute to the discrimination against aphids that are parasitized but not yet mummified. These results suggest that the effects of these two species could be complementary for the control of M. persicae, since the species that acts as an intraguild predator, E. balteatus, avoids ovipositing on aphid colonies parasitized by the intraguild prey, A. colemani.     

Faba bean forisomes can function in defence against generalist aphids

Phloem sieve elements have shut‐off mechanisms that prevent loss of nutrient‐rich phloem sap when the phloem is damaged. Some phloem proteins such as the proteins that form forisomes in legume sieve elements are one such mechanism and in response to damage, they instantly form occlusions that stop the flow of sap. It has long been hypothesized that one function of phloem proteins is defence against phloem sap‐feeding insects such as aphids. This study provides the first experimental evidence that aphid feeding can induce phloem protein occlusion and that the aphid‐induced occlusions inhibit phloem sap ingestion. The great majority of phloem penetrations in Vicia faba by the generalist aphids Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae triggered forisome occlusion and the aphids eventually withdrew their stylets without ingesting phloem sap. This contrasts starkly with a previous study on the legume‐specialist aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, where penetration of faba bean sieve elements did not trigger forisome occlusion and the aphids readily ingested phloem sap. Next, forisome occlusion was demonstrated to be the cause of failed phloem ingestion attempts by M. persicae: when occlusion was inhibited by the calcium channel blocker lanthanum, M. persicae readily ingested faba bean phloem sap.     

Olfactory responses of Aphidius gifuensis to odors of host plants and aphid‐plant complexes

Abstract The olfactory responses of Aphidius gifuensis to odors from two host plants (Nicotiana tabacum and Brassica napus ssp.) and their complexes with different infestation levels of two host aphids (Myzus persicae and Lipaphis erysimi) were respectively examined in an olfactometer. The results showed that female A. gifuensis did not respond to odors of undamaged or mechanically damaged host plants, but significantly responded to odors of aphid/plant complexes. Moreover, A. gifuensis responded significantly to odors of both M. persicae and L. erysimi/plant complexes when host plants were infested by high levels of aphids, suggesting that quantity of aphid‐induced volatiles could be important for attracting A. gifuensis. When tested between aphid/plant complexes, A. gifuensis did not show its preference for either complex. The efficiency of A. gifuensis against aphids in open fields potentially could be improved by using its olfactory response to aphid/plant complexes.     

Hoverfly oviposition response to aphids in broccoli fields

The oviposition response of predacious hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) to Brevicoryne brassicae L. and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in commercial broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica L., Plenck (Brassicaceae), fields was investigated at two sites over the course of a growing season. The hoverfly oviposition responses to these aphid species on different parts of the broccoli plant canopy were also examined. There were no hoverfly eggs on broccoli plants without aphids, egg numbers were very low on plants with fewer than 50 aphids, and no peak in oviposition relative to aphid numbers was observed. Within individual plants that were colonized by aphids, there was some oviposition on individual leaves without aphids, and no hoverfly eggs were seen on leaves that had more than 400 aphids. Leaves in the broccoli plant canopy, and the datasets associated with them, were divided into three sections vertically, ‘upper’, ‘middle’, and ‘lower’. Brevicoryne brassicae was more abundant in the upper and middle canopy sections, while M. persicae was found mostly in the lower section. The rate of hoverfly oviposition per aphid was higher in the upper section than in the two other sections. Modeling of the oviposition response using logistic regression showed that the presence of hoverfly eggs was positively correlated with numbers of each aphid species and sampling date.     

The effect of artificial diet on the production of alarm pheromone by Myzus persicae

The cornicle secretion of Myzus persicae reared on artificial diet only elicits an alarm response in plant‐reared conspecifics after the young aphids have been transferred to plants for 7 days. Acetate in the form of 0.32% sodium acetate has been added to the diet as an early step in synthesis of the alarm pheromone, (E)‐β‐farnesene (EBF). The cornicle secretion of diet‐reared aphids then elicits an alarm response. However, there is no difference in internal EBF concentration between plant‐ and diet‐reared aphids. Puncturing aphids, either plant‐ or diet‐reared, with a pin shows that both can elicit an alarm response, whereas it is reduced by half with diet‐reared individuals. Although there is no significant difference in the concentration of EBF produced, the total amount in diet‐reared aphids is increased by acetate in the diet to a level similar to that in plant‐reared individuals: the size of aphids reared on an acetate‐supplemented diet is increased and comparable with the size of those that are plant‐reared. Bioassays with a range of EBF concentrations show a high threshold for the alarm response. It is concluded that the different size of aphids reared on plants and standard diet results in them secreting, respectively, above and below the response threshold.     

Cornicle secretions of Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Homoptera: Aphididae) as the last bullet against lady beetle larvae

Aphids have evolved various defense strategies against natural enemies, including secretions from their cornicles. We assessed the defensive function of cornicle secretions by the goldenrod aphid, Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Olive), against larvae of the lady beetles Coccinella septempunctata bruckii Mulsant and Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The aphid secreted red droplets from its cornicles when attacked by the larvae. Two‐thirds of the C. septempunctata bruckii larvae and 46.7% of the P. japonica larvae that preyed on the aphids died before reaching the pre‐pupal stage. The secretions caused molting failure when smeared on the larvae's heads or glued to the larvae's mouthparts, killing 56.7% of C. septempunctata bruckii larvae and 36.7% of P. japonica larvae. Second instar larvae were affected most. About 40% of third and fourth instar larvae of C. septempunctata bruckii vomited soon after ingesting the aphids. In the field, up to 40% of first and second instar larvae were smeared with red secretions. Our results show that these cornicle secretions are an effective and active defense against earlier instars of coccinellid larvae.     

Genetic, biochemical, and behavioral uniformity among populations of Myzus nicotianae and Myzus persicae

Prior to designation as distinct species, an appellation presently in question, the tobacco aphid, Myzus nicotianae Blackman (Homoptera: Aphididae), was classified as a tobacco-feeding form of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). In this study, RAPD polymorphisms distinguished members of the Myzus persicae complex (M. persicae and M. nicotianae) from three outgroup Myzus species (M. cerasi (F.), M. hemerocallis Takahashi, and M. varians Davidson). Polymorphisms within the complex did not separate populations on the basis of host association (tobacco versus other host plants) or geographic origin (collections from the United States, Europe, and Japan). Similarly, while GC-MS analysis of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles revealed both developmental and inter-populational differences within the M. persicae complex, it did not separate populations of tobacco feeding aphids from those collected off non-tobacco hosts. Finally, with the exception of their responses to a choice between lettuce and collards, the host preference behavior of a green peach aphid population, a red tobacco aphid population, and a green tobacco aphid population was indistinguishable in host preference experiments. These results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting M. nicotianae and M. persicae are conspecific.     

Cornicle length in Macrosiphini aphids: a comparison of ecological traits

Abstract 1. Aphids often emit cornicle droplets when attacked by predators. While the function of cornicle droplets has long been debated (i.e. mechanical protection vs. chemical signalling), it is not understood why aphid species have cornicles of different lengths.
2. It was hypothesised that aphids living in more scattered colonies have longer cornicles to scent-mark predators with cornicle droplets containing alarm pheromone, so that clone-mates are provided with advanced warning of a threat, even if not at the predation site. To test this hypothesis, multiple regression analyses were used, due to a lack of phylogenetic information on these taxa, to address which ecological traits (amount of wax on an aphid, degree of colony aggregation, feeding shelter, ant attendance) are correlated with cornicle length.
3. Aphids living in dense colonies tended to have shorter cornicles than aphids living in more scattered colonies. Also, aphids with more protection (i.e. wax) on their bodies had shorter cornicles. Aphids also tended to have shorter cornicles when tended by ants. The presence of a feeding shelter was not a good predictor of cornicle length.
4. It is suggested that longer cornicles function to scent-mark predators with alarm pheromone to increase the inclusive fitness of a clone; however the negative correlation between the amount of individual protection, and also ant attendance, and cornicle length argues for a trade-off between different forms of defence.     

Quantitative studies on the uptake and retention of potato leafroll virus by aphids in laboratory and field conditions

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted for the efficient detection and assay of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) in aphids. Best results were obtained when aphids were extracted in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, and the extracts incubated at 37 °C for 1 h before starting the assay. Using batches of 20 green peach aphids (Myzus persicae), about 0.01 ng PLRV/aphid could be detected. The virus could also be detected in single aphids allowed a 1-day acquisition access period on infected potato leaves. The PLRV content of aphids depended on the age of potato source-plants and the position of source leaves on them. It increased with increase in acquisition access period up to 7 days but differed considerably between individual aphids. A maximum of 7 ng PLRV/aphid was recorded but aphids more usually accumulated about 0.2 ng PLRV per day. When aphids were allowed acquisition access periods of 1–3 days, and then caged singly on Physalis floridana seedlings for 3 days, the PLRV content of each aphid, measured subsequently, was not strongly correlated with the infection of P. floridana. The concentration of PLRV in leaf extracts differed only slightly when potato plants were kept at 15, 20, 25 or 30 °C for 1 or 2 wk, but the virus content of aphids kept on leaves at the different temperatures decreased with increase of temperature. PLRV was transmitted readily to P. floridana at all temperatures, but by a slightly smaller proportion of aphids, and after a longer latent period, at 15 °C than at 30 °C. The PLRV content of M. persicae fed on infected potato leaves decreased with increasing time after transfer to turnip (immune to PLRV). The decrease occurred in two phases, the first rapid and the second very slow. In the first phase the decrease was faster, briefer and greater at 25 and 30 °C than at 15 and 20 °C. No evidence was obtained that PLRV multiplies in M. persicae. These results are compatible with a model in which much of the PLRV in aphids during the second phase is in the haemocoele, and transmission is mainly limited by the rate of passage of virus particles from haemolymph to saliva. The potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, transmitted PLRV much less efficiently than M. persicae. Its inefficiency as a vector could not be ascribed to failure to acquire or retain PLRV, or to the degradation of virus particles in the aphid. Probably only few PLRV particles pass from the haemolymph to saliva in this species. The virus content of M. euphorbiae collected from PLRV-infected potato plants in the field increased from early June to early July, and then decreased. PLRV was detected both in spring migrants collected from the plants and in summer migrants caught in yellow water-traps. PLRV was also detected in M. persicae collected from infected plants in July and August, and in trapped summer migrants, but their PLRV content was less than that of M. euphorbiae, and in some instances was too small for unequivocal detection.     

Infection of Arabidopsis by cucumber mosaic virus triggers jasmonate-dependent resistance to aphids that relies partly on the pattern-triggered immunity factor BAK1

Many aphid-vectored viruses are transmitted nonpersistently via transient attachment of virus particles to aphid mouthparts and are most effectively acquired or transmitted during brief stylet punctures of epidermal cells. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the aphid-transmitted virus cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) induces feeding deterrence against the polyphagous aphid Myzus persicae. This form of resistance inhibits prolonged phloem feeding but promotes virus acquisition by aphids because it encourages probing of plant epidermal cells. When aphids are confined on CMV-infected plants, feeding deterrence reduces their growth and reproduction. We found that CMV-induced inhibition of growth as well as CMV-induced inhibition of reproduction of M. persicae are dependent upon jasmonate-mediated signalling. BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1 (BAK1) is a co-receptor enabling detection of microbe-associated molecular patterns and induction of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). In plants carrying the mutant bak1-5 allele, CMV induced inhibition of M. persicae reproduction but not inhibition of aphid growth. We conclude that in wildtype plants CMV induces two mechanisms that diminish performance of M. persicae: a jasmonate-dependent and PTI-dependent mechanism that inhibits aphid growth, and a jasmonate-dependent, PTI-independent mechanism that inhibits reproduction. The growth of two crucifer specialist aphids, Lipaphis erysimi and Brevicoryne brassicae, was not affected when confined on CMV-infected A. thaliana. However, B. brassicae reproduction was inhibited on CMV-infected plants. This suggests that in A. thaliana CMV-induced resistance to aphids, which is thought to incentivize virus vectoring, has greater effects on polyphagous than on crucifer specialist aphids.     

Effect of temperature,relative humidity and aphid developmental stage on the efficacy of the mycoinsecticide Mycotal® against Myzus persicae

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, is a major pest worldwide. An examination of the impact of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and developmental stages of M. persicae on the efficacy of the whitefly mycoinsecticide Mycotal®, based on Lecanicillium muscarium and the effects of infection on aphid fecundity was evaluated under controlled conditions. Although this fungus can be grown at a broad range of temperatures (15–30°C), the optimum temperature for control of M. persicae ranged between 20 and 30°C. L. muscarium had high efficacy as a microbial control agent against M. persicae between 55% and 90% RH. Total mortality of aphids treated with different spore dosages of L. muscarium varied according to the developmental stage: adults, fourth and third instar nymphs proved more susceptible than first instar nymphs. Although the fungus did not affect the rate of nymph production, the reproductive period of aphids significantly decreased with increasing the spore dosage. Thus, total fecundity of treated aphids was 22.6 ± 1.1 and 31.6 ± 2.4 offspring per adult at the medium (644 ± viable spore/mm²) and low (330 ± 40 viable spore/mm²) dosages, compared with 45.7 ± 4.3 offspring per untreated aphid. The results suggest that L. muscarium has the potential as a biological control agent of M. persicae.     

A comparison of triglycerides from aphids and their cornicle secretions

Direct mass spectrometry of extracts showed that body triglycerides from 30 species of aphids contained the same fatty acid radicals, C₆ (hexanoyl), C_6:2 (sorboyl), C₁₄ (myristoyl), and C₁₆ (palmitoyl) as did the cornicle secretions, but in many species the proportions of hexanoyl and/or palmitoyl triglycerides were greater in the body. When cornicle secretions were collected progressively so as to draw increasingly upon body fat reserves, their composition changed gradually towards that of the body extracts.All summer forms of Myzus persicae had similar body triglycerides, even when selected for resistance to organophosphorus insecticides, or bred for 3 months on an artificial diet. The composition of body triglycerides was also independent of colour in two aphid species in which pink and green forms were compared.Body extracts contain enough triglycerides for their composition to be determined in single aphids and the use of body extracts allows examination of aphids lacking cornicles and of specimens that do not give cornicle secretion because of low body turgor. Although, as in the case of cornicle secretions, the triglyceride composition of body extracts was not well correlated with taxonomic position, body extracts provide a second chemical characteristic that can be used to define a particular species.     

Abscisic acid deficiency increases defence responses against Myzus persicae in Arabidopsis

Comparison of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) gene expression induced by Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) feeding, aphid saliva infiltration and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment showed a significant positive correlation. In particular, ABA‐regulated genes are over‐represented among genes that are induced by M. persicae saliva infiltration into Arabidopsis leaves. This suggests that the induction of ABA‐related gene expression could be an important component of the Arabidopsis–aphid interaction. Consistent with this hypothesis, M. persicae populations induced ABA production in wild‐type plants. Furthermore, aphid populations were smaller on Arabidopsis aba1‐1 mutants, which cannot synthesize ABA, and showed a significant preference for wild‐type plants compared with the mutant. Total free amino acids, which play an important role in aphid nutrition, were not altered in the aba1‐1 mutant line, but the levels of isoleucine (Ile) and tryptophan (Trp) were differentially affected by aphids in wild‐type and mutant plants. Recently, indole glucosinolates have been shown to promote aphid resistance in Arabidopsis. In this study, 4‐methoxyindol‐3‐ylmethylglucosinolate was more abundant in the aba1‐1 mutant than in wild‐type Arabidopsis, suggesting that the induction of ABA signals that decrease the accumulation of defence compounds may be beneficial for aphids.     

Ecology of the aphid pests of protected pepper crops and their parasitoids

Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Aphis gossypii and Aulacorthum solani (Homoptera: Aphididae) are principal pests of protected pepper crops in southeastern Spain. Our goal was to determine the incidence of aphids on pepper crops and the role of vegetation surrounding greenhouses as a source of aphids and their parasitoids. The population dynamics were followed in six commercial greenhouses during 3 years. Another 82 greenhouses and their surrounding vegetation were surveyed occasionally. Myzus persicae had the highest incidence in pepper greenhouses followed by M. euphorbiae and A. solani. Parasitism of all aphid species in greenhouses was low, Aphidius matricariae and Aphidius colemani being the most abundant parasitoids. Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae were the most abundant and polyphagous aphids, being present on 77 and 55% of the plants sampled outside greenhouses, respectively; species of Brassicaceae were the main hosts for both aphids. Aulacorthum solani was only present on Malva parviflora and at low numbers. Outside greenhouses, A. matricariae was the most common parasitoid of M. persicae, followed by Diaeretiella rapae and A. colemani. Aphidius matricariae was the most polyphagous, being present in 10 out of 22 aphid species. Macrosiphum euphorbiae and A. solani were both parasitised by A. ervi and Praon volucre. Aphelinus asychis was found on A. solani. Parasitoids were found in other aphids not attacking pepper. The role of natural vegetation as a reservoir of aphid pests of pepper and of parasitoids is discussed.     

The functional significance of E-β-Farnesene: Does it influence the populations of aphid natural enemies in the fields?

Aphids cause much damage to Chinese cabbage in northern China. Over reliance on pesticides have large environmental and human health costs that compel researchers to seek alternative management tactics for aphid control. The component of aphid alarm pheromone, E-β-Farnesene (EβF), extracted from Matricaria chamomilla L., which attracts natural enemies in the laboratory, may have significant implications for the design of cabbage aphid control strategies. The purpose of this paper is to understand the effects of EβF on natural enemies to cabbage aphid control in Chinese cabbage fields. Ladybeetles on Chinese cabbage leaves in EβF released plots and Aphidiidae in EβF released yellow traps were significantly higher than those of in controls. No significant differences were detected in the interactions of different treatments and the two years for all natural enemies. More important, lower aphid densities were found in EβF released plots. Our results suggested that the EβF extracted from M. chamomilla L. could attract natural enemies to reduce cabbage aphids in the Chinese cabbage fields.     

Intercropping oilseed rape as a potential relay crop for enhancing the biological control of green peach aphids and aphid‐transmitted virus diseases

Tobacco viruses transmitted by green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), cause severe disease in flue‐cured tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae), in China and throughout the world. Field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 in Longyan City, Fujian Province, China, to determine whether M. persicae and aphid‐transmitted virus diseases are affected by intercropping of oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae), in tobacco fields. The results showed that, compared with those in monocultured fields, the densities of M. persicae and winged aphids in intercropped fields significantly decreased in both 2016 and 2017. In particular, the appearance of winged aphids was delayed by ca. 7 days. Moreover, the densities of Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), a parasitoid of the aphid, significantly increased in 2016 and 2017. Accordingly, the incidence rates of aphid‐transmitted virus diseases (those caused by the cucumber mosaic virus, potato virus Y, and tobacco etch virus) significantly decreased in the intercropped fields in 2016 and 2017. Tobacco yields and monetary value significantly increased in 2016 (by 10–25 and 14–29%, respectively) and 2017 (by 17–22 and 22–34%, respectively). Consequently, our results suggest that intercropping oilseed rape in tobacco fields is a good approach to regulating and controlling aphids and tobacco mosaic viruses, for example potyvirus, and this intercropping can help control aphid‐transmitted virus diseases in tobacco.     

Plant-mediated RNAi of a gap gene-enhanced tobacco tolerance against the Myzus persicae

Plant-mediated RNAi has been developed as a powerful weapon in the fight against agricultural insect pests. The gap gene hunchback (hb) is of crucial importance in insect axial patterning and knockdown of hb is deforming and lethal to the next generation. The peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), has many host plants and can be found throughout the world. To investigate the effect of plant-mediated RNAi on control of this insect, the hb gene in M. persicae was cloned, plant RNAi vector was constructed, and transgenic tobacco expressing Mphb dsRNA was developed. Transgenic tobacco had a different integration pattern of the transgene. Bioassays were performed by applying neonate aphids to homozygous transgenic plants in the T2 generation. Results revealed that continuous feeding of transgenic diet reduced Mphb mRNA level in the fed aphids and inhibited insect reproduction, indicating successful knockdown of the target gene in M. persicae by plant-mediated RNAi.