桃蚜取食行为对大气CO_2浓度升高的响应

【目的】近年来随着人类活动的增加,温室气体尤其是大气CO_2浓度升高造成的虫害爆发已成为国际上关注的焦点,因此,研究拟南芥Arabidopsis thaliana上桃蚜取食行为的变化对大气CO_2浓度升高的响应意义重大。【方法】本研究以拟南芥和绿色桃蚜Myzus persicae为研究对象,利用野生型拟南芥Col-0,茉莉酸途径信号传导缺失突变体(jar1)、水杨酸途径信号传导缺失突变体(npr1)、乙烯途径信号传导缺失突变体(ein2-5)为材料,以大气CO_2浓度升高为影响因子,利用刺吸式电位仪(EPG)记录了桃蚜在不同处理的拟南芥上的取食波形。【结果】研究结果发现:CO_2浓度升高缩短了Col-0和jar1植株上蚜虫首次刺探时间和首次到达韧皮部的时间,却延长了npr1和ein2-5上蚜虫首次到达韧皮部的时间,降低了jar1植株上蚜虫总的刺探时间且增加了其总的取食韧皮部时间,但没有改变其它基因型植株上蚜虫总的刺探和取食时间;同时增加了野生型植株上蚜虫的刺探频率,却没有影响其它基因型植株上的刺探频率。【结论】CO_2浓度升高降低了野生型植株和jar1植株抗性,有利于蚜虫到达韧皮部;却增加了npr1和ein2-5上的植物抗性,从而不利于蚜虫到达韧皮部。     

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。     

园艺矿物油乳剂对亚洲柑橘木虱成虫刺吸行为的影响

目的】亚洲柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri是传播柑橘最重要病害黄龙病(huanglongbing, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus)的媒介昆虫,树冠喷施园艺矿物油(horticultural mineral oil, HMO)可以减少其在柑橘上的取食和产卵。本研究旨在探索植物组织内残留的园艺矿物油如何影响亚洲柑橘木虱成虫的取食行为。【方法】采用直流型刺吸电位仪(DC-EPG Giga-8)记录亚洲柑橘木虱成虫12 h内在喷施不同浓度(0.25%, 0.5%, 1%和2%, v/v)HMO(nC24)乳剂和清水(对照)时柑橘嫩叶上的刺探和取食行为并转换为波形信号,分析比较各处理的波形参数。【结果】不同浓度HMO乳剂处理显著提高了亚洲柑橘木虱成虫在柑橘叶片上的C波(路径波)持续时间百分比,显著减少了E2波(韧皮部吸食汁液)持续时间百分比,而对D(口针第一次接触韧皮部组织), E1(韧皮部出现唾液分泌) 和G(木质部吸食汁液) 波持续时间百分比没有显著影响。HMO处理组C波的每成虫波形累积时间(WDI)显著长于对照组,而各浓度处理之间没有显著差异,但D波WDI明显短于对照组。随着HMO浓度的增加, E1, E2和G波WDI显著下降,2% HMO处理组E1, E2和G波WDI明显低于其他浓度处理组。HMO乳剂处理明显减少了刺探次数;在HMO处理中,每成虫刺探次数和每成虫各波形次数均显著少于对照组,其中以1%和2% HMO乳剂处理最少。HMO乳剂处理组np波 (非刺探波)、D波、E2波的每成虫单次波形持续时间(WDE)均短于对照组,其中2% HMO乳剂处理后,D, E1和E2波WDE显著短于其他浓度处理和对照。同时,2% HMO乳剂处理推迟了从口器接触叶片到第1次开始刺探的时间和从口器接触叶片到第1次刺探到韧皮部的时间。【结论】结果表明,2% HMO乳剂显著减少亚洲柑橘木虱成虫在柑橘叶片上的取食次数和有效取食时间,同时还缩短了其在韧皮部分泌唾液和吸食汁液时间,因此可推荐矿物油用于柑橘黄龙病和亚洲柑橘木虱的综合防治体系。同时初步推断矿物油的作用机制可能是其进入植物气孔阻止植物挥发性物质的释放,抑制或掩盖柑橘叶片表面的挥发性物质从而减少了亚洲柑橘木虱在寄主上取食。     

蚜虫取食中的细胞壁修饰与免疫功能

蚜虫是世界性害虫,它通过独特的口针结构和丰富的唾液组分破坏植物细胞壁,穿过表皮细胞和叶肉细胞间隙,克服多重植物抗性,到达韧皮部取食为害。已有报道蚜虫唾液中含有多种细胞壁修饰酶能够降解修饰细胞壁,帮助蚜虫在细胞间刺探,更为有效的定位韧皮部。而细胞壁作为保护植物细胞的重要屏障,能感知和传递细胞壁损伤信号,通过调控细胞壁修饰酶的表达水平启动胞内诱导抗性,从而影响蚜虫的刺探、取食和定殖。此外,蚜虫唾液中的一些效应因子还能抑制细胞壁免疫和胞内抗性。可见,细胞壁免疫在蚜虫持续取食和成功定殖中发挥重要功能。为深入理解细胞壁免疫在蚜虫刺探与取食过程中的作用机制,本文概述了蚜虫唾液关键组分对细胞壁修饰与免疫的调控作用,从植物细胞壁多糖结构修饰、损伤信号传导和胞内抗性等方面重点论述对蚜虫取食行为的影响,结合病原菌与细胞壁免疫互作机制,进一步揭示蚜虫与细胞壁免疫互作新机制,为基于阻断蚜虫韧皮部取食的分子抗虫育种提供新思路。     

扶桑绵粉蚧对马铃薯幼苗的致害性研究

为评价扶桑绵粉蚧对植物的致害性,利用马铃薯苗作为寄主植物,通过刺探点位图谱、快速光曲线、为害分级等手段,对扶桑绵粉蚧在马铃薯苗上的取食行为、为害后马铃薯叶片的光合动力及扶桑绵粉蚧对马铃薯的致害效率进行检测并评价。结果显示,扶桑绵粉蚧对马铃薯苗韧皮部取食的时间超过占给定时间的30%,在叶肉细胞内的尝试性取食时间高达10%;扶桑绵粉蚧为害导致马铃薯苗叶片对强光的耐受能力显著降低;高效率的为害在短时间内造成马铃薯出现黄叶、枯叶甚至枯梢等现象。以上结果表明扶桑绵粉蚧可在低起始为害密度的情况下快速形成为害,因此在实际生产中一旦发现扶桑绵粉蚧,需立即进行处理。     

不同处理菜豆植株对西花蓟马体内解毒酶活性的影响

为明确植物的诱导抗性对西花蓟马体内酶活性的影响,通过西花蓟马取食、机械损伤、外源茉莉酸和水杨酸甲酯诱导处理菜豆植株,研究西花蓟马2龄若虫取食不同处理菜豆植株后,其体内多功能氧化酶(MFO)、羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(TChE)的变化。结果表明,西花蓟马2龄若虫取食不同处理的菜豆后,体内多功能氧化酶和乙酰胆碱酯酶活性变化相同,均是在24 h和36 h显著低于取食健康植株的。除取食茉莉酸处理的西花蓟马体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性在24 h受到显著抑制外,西花蓟马若虫取食水杨酸甲酯、蓟马危害后体内的谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性均高于对照,取食机械损伤处理的西花蓟马体内酶活性在不同取食时间下均与对照差异不显著。取食蓟马危害和茉莉酸处理的西花蓟马虫体羧酸酯酶活性在6 h和36 h均受到显著抑制,而取食机械损伤和水杨酸甲酯诱导的西花蓟马体内酶活性只有在36 h受到明显抑制。以上结果说明外源因子诱导的植物抗性能够干扰西花蓟马体内解毒机制,削弱了其对有毒次生物质的解毒代谢功能。     

重金属Zn2+胁迫下麦长管蚜的取食行为

为了探索重金属锌长期胁迫对麦长管蚜(Sitobion avenae)取食行为的变化影响,在模拟自然的实验室条件下,用不同浓度Zn~(2+)溶液浇灌土壤,通过土壤-小麦-蚜虫体系连续处理麦长管蚜15代,用EPG(刺探电位技术)对第1、5、10、15代成蚜的取食行为进行了监测。结果表明,第1代和第5代时,200 mg/kg的Zn~(2+)处理后np波和C波的总持续时间和数量显著低于对照,800mg/kg的Zn~(2+)使其显著增加。到第15代,高剂量的Zn~(2+)处理后np波和C波的总持续时间和数量均显著高于对照。涉及分泌唾液的E1波持续时间及涉及被动取食营养的E2波出现次数并未受到低剂量Zn~(2+)的显著影响,但高剂量的Zn~(2+)处理后单独E1波、伴随稳定E2的E1波总持续时间及E2波的数量均显著降低。麦长管蚜的取食行为会受到重金属锌的影响并且会在高剂量Zn~(2+)的胁迫条件下产生积累效应,而低剂量的Zn~(2+)则促进麦长管蚜对小麦的取食行为。针对重金属而言,此效应发生改变的关键浓度为400 mg/kg,蚜虫取食行为发生改变的关键世代为第5代和第10代。     

番石榴精油对柑橘木虱刺吸取食行为的影响

利用刺探电位技术(electrical penetration graph,EPG).比较测定了柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri Kuwayama成虫在经番石榴精油处理和对照柑橘叶片上的刺吸取食行为.结果表明,在正常(对照)叶片上,柑橘木虱成虫的刺吸取食有8种不同波形,表现为迅速进入取食过程,非刺探活动时间和唾液分泌较少,为韧皮部取食,没有木质部取食.而柑橘叶片经1μw/mL番石榴精油处理后,柑橘木虱成虫刺吸取食行为显著改变,表现为非刺探活动和唾液分泌增加,韧皮部取食时间极显著下降,下降率为62.12%,并出现木质部取食.不同时段柑橘木虱的有效取食时间动态结果显示,番石榴精油在第1 h使柑橘木虱完全进入木质部取食,但随后逐步恢复韧皮部取食.     

电子取食监测仪在植物抗虫性研究中的应用

主要综述了电子取食监测仪在植物对同翅目昆虫抗虫性研究中的应用情况.利用电子取食监测仪可监测同翅目昆虫（蚜虫、飞虱、叶蝉、蓟马、粉虱等）在不同抗、感虫品种上的取食行为,并根据取食行为参数如刺探频率、唾液分泌时间、韧皮部取食时间等在不同抗、感品种上的差异来区别品种的抗、感虫特性和确定抗虫因子存在的部位.     

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.     

Modification of Macrosiphum euphorbiae colonisation behaviour and reproduction on potato plants treated by mineral oil

Although mineral oil spray is one of the most effective ways to control the transmission of non‐persistent aphid‐borne viruses in the field, its mode of action is poorly understood. In this study, the effects of mineral oil treatment of potato plants on host selection behaviour, growth, and reproduction of potato aphids, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were investigated. The effects were assessed 30 min, 1 day, and 7 days after treatment, (1) on aphid orientation behaviour by using a Y‐tube olfactometer, and (2) on aphid feeding behaviour by using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. Olfactory experiments showed that the oil had a repulsive effect only 30 min after spraying. EPG experiments showed a slight modification of the aphid feeding behaviour mainly 7 days after treatment. The number of both salivation and sap ingestion events during the phloem phases were increased 7 days after treatment. In addition, irrespective of the time after treatment, xylem ingestion time was increased. Clip cage experiments were set up to assess potential effects of the oil treatment on aphid survival and population parameters. Nymphal mortality was increased on treated plants, whereas fecundity of surviving insects was enhanced. The antagonistic effects of oil treatment on aphids are discussed in a plant protection context.     

Effect of mixed viral infections (potato virus Y-potato leafroll virus) on biology and preference of vectors Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Mixed viral infections of heterologous viruses such as Potato virus Y (family Potyviridae, genus Potyvirus, PVY) and Potato leafroll virus (family Luteoviridae, genus Polerovirus, PLRV) are a regular occurrence in Idaho's potato, Solanum tuberosum (L.), cropping systems. An increased number of plant samples from Idaho's potato fields over the past 2 yr has serologically tested positive for both PVY and PLRV via double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and exhibited more severe symptoms than singly-infected plants (PVY or PLRV). Several studies have extensively examined the mixed infection phenomenon but to the best of our knowledge, none have examined the effect of such infections on vector biology and preference. Laboratory studies were conducted to examine the effect of mixed viral (PVY-PLRV) infection on the fecundity and preference of two of the most efficient PVY and PLRV vectors, the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). M. persicae and M. euphorbiae adults were clip-caged (one adult per cage) to leaflets of PVY, PLRV, PVY-PLRV-infected, and noninfected potato plants. The number of nymphs produced in all four treatments was recorded after 96 h. M. persicae and M. euphorbiae fecundity was significantly higher on mixed infected plants than on singly infected plants or noninfected plants. Preference of alatae and apterae of M. persicae and M. euphorbiae was determined with the use of settling bioassays. Both alatae and apterae of M. persicae and M. euphorbiae preferentially settled on PVY-PLRV-infected plants than on singly infected plants (PVY or PLRV) or noninfected plants.     

The impact of Meu1-mediated resistance in tomato on longevity, fecundity and behavior of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae

The effect of the tomato resistance gene, Meu1, on feeding, longevity, fecundity and developmental rate of the pink biotype of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera, Aphididae), was determined using nearly isogenic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, Solanaceae) lines. Aphid mortality was significantly higher on resistant plants, with 60% of the aphids dying by the 4th day of exposure. By the 10th day, all the aphids on the resistant plants were dead whereas 100% of the aphids on susceptible plants were alive. Meu1-mediated resistance resulted in significantly decreased fecundity with a ten-fold decrease in the net fertility rate (4.5 and 45.7 progeny per aphid on resistant and susceptible tomato, respectively). A qualitative analysis showed that honeydew was produced by aphids on resistant and susceptible plants, suggesting that aphids initiate feeding on both plant types. However, significantly lower quantities of honeydew were present when aphids were caged on resistant plants. There were also significant differences in aphid location on resistant and susceptible leaves. Experiments evaluating behavior in less than 24 h showed that aphids left resistant leaves after relatively short exposure (3–6 h). Aphids transferred from resistant to susceptible tomato at intervals between 3 h and 24 h resumed feeding as evidenced by presence of honeydew. Although the mechanism by which Meu1-mediated resistance operates is not yet known, our data suggest that resistance factors act rapidly after initiation of feeding and that lower fecundity and longevity are related to reduction in aphid feeding.     

Effect of an alternate weed host, hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides, on the biology of the two most important potato leafroll virus (Luteoviridae: Polerovirus) vectors, Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Aphididae: Homoptera)

Hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides (Sendtner), is a ubiquitous weed in potato agro-ecosystems and nonagricultural lands of southeastern Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. This weed increases the complexity of the Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) (Luteoviridae: Polervirus)-potato pathosystem by serving as aphid and virus reservoir. Previous field studies showed higher densities of green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), the two most important vectors of PLRV, on S. sarrachoides compared with potato plants in the same fields. Some of the S. sarrachoides plants sampled in these surveys tested positive for PLRV. Viral infections can alter the physiology of plant hosts and aphid performance on such plants. To understand better the potential effects of S. sarrachoides on the PLRV-potato-aphid pathosystem, the life histories of M. persicae and M. euphorbiae were compared on virus-free and PLRV-infected S. sarrachoides and potato. Individual nymphs of each aphid species were held in clip cages on plants from each treatment to monitor their development, survival, and reproductive output. Nymphal survival for both aphids across plant species was higher on S. sarrachoides than on potato, and, within plant species, it was higher on PLRV-infected plants than on noninfected plants. With a few exceptions, similar patterns occurred for fecundity, reproductive periods, adult longevity, and intrinsic rate of increase. The enhanced performance of aphids on S. sarrachoides and on PLRV-infected plants could alter the vector population dynamics and thus the PLRV-disease epidemiology in fields infested with this weed.     

Effect of mineral oil on Potato virus Y acquisition by Rhopalosiphum padi

Seed potato crops are currently sprayed weekly with mineral oil to prevent transmission of the Potato virus Y (PVY; Potyviridae: Potyvirus), one of the most prevalent and important non‐persistent viruses affecting potato production. In spite of its wide usage as inhibitor of virus transmission, the mode of action for mineral oil is poorly known. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of dosage and time from application of mineral oil on the inhibition of PVY acquisition. The bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), known as vector of PVY, was used in all the experiments. The results indicated that mineral oil efficiently decreased PVY acquisition by 75 and 70% 1 day after application of 5 and 10 l ha^?1, respectively. The inhibition effect decreased with time from application; mineral oil inhibits acquisition for less than 4 days at 5 l ha^?1 and between 8 and 12 days at 10 l ha^?1. As mineral oil was detected in the body of fewer aphids when they fed on plants 1 day after oil application, a change in the aphid probing behaviour on mineral oil‐treated plants was deduced. These results support the hypothesis that mineral oil physically inhibits the binding of the virus at the tip of the stylets.     

Proteomic profiling of aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae responses to host-plant-mediated stress induced by defoliation and water deficit

Abiotic and biotic host-plant stress, such as desiccation and herbivory, may strongly affect sap-sucking insects such as aphids via changes in plant chemicals of insect nutritional or plant defensive value. Here, we examined (i) water deprivation and (ii) defoliation by the beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata as stresses indirectly affecting the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae via its host plant Solanum tuberosum. For plant-induced stress, aphids were reared on healthy vs. continuously stressed potato for 14 days (no watering; defoliation maintained at approximately 40%). Aphid performance under stress was correlated with metabolic responses monitored by profiling of the aphid proteome. M. euphorbiae was strongly affected by water stress, as adult survival, total aphid number and biomass were reduced by 67%, 64%, and 79%, respectively. Aphids performed normally on defoliated potato, indicating that they were unaffected or able to compensate any stress induced by plant defoliation. Stressed aphid proteomes revealed 419-453 protein spots, including 27 that were modulated specifically or jointly under each kind of host-plant stress. Reduced aphid fitness on water-stressed plants mostly correlated with modulation of proteins involved in energy metabolism, apparently to conserve energy in order to prioritize survival. Despite normal performance, several aphid proteins that are known to be implicated in cell communication were modulated on defoliated plants, possibly suggesting modified aphid behaviour. The GroEL protein (or symbionin) of the endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola was predominant under all conditions in M. euphorbiae. Its expression level was not significantly affected by aphid host-plant stresses, which is consistent with the high priority of symbiosis in stressed aphids.     

Effects of systemic potato response to wounding and jasmonate on the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Sternorryncha: Aphididae)

Plant induced responses are activated by multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, and may affect the interactions between a plant and phytophagous insects. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different stresses inflicted to potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) on the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae). Abiotic wounding, biotic wounding by Leptinotarsa decemlineata and treatment with volatile methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were evaluated with regard to the orientation behaviour, the feeding behaviour and the development of the potato aphids. Dual‐choice olfactometry showed that plants treated with MeJA lost their attractiveness for the potato aphids, while both abiotic and biotic wounding did not alter the orientation of aphids. Electropenetrography revealed that the feeding behaviour of aphids was only slightly disturbed by a previous L. decemlineata wounding, while it was highly disturbed by mechanical wounding and MeJA treatment. Aphid nymph survival was reduced on mechanically wounded plants, the pre‐reproductive period was lengthened and the fecundity reduced on plants treated with MeJA. Our results bring new information about the effects of various stresses inflicted to S. tuberosum on M. euphorbiae. We showed that wounding and MeJA treatment induced an antixenosis resistance in potato plants against M. euphorbiae, which may influence aphid colonization processes.     

Aphid parasitoid complex in potato in the context of IPM in Belgium

Parasitic hymenoptera of potato aphids were collected and identified in 2000 and 2001 in 11 potato fields in Belgium. Nine Aphidiidae species, parasiting seven aphid species, were found: Aphidius ervi, Aphidius matricariae, Aphidius picipes, Binodoxys angelicae, Diaeretiella rapae, Praon abjectum, Praon gallicium, Praon volucre and Toxares deltiger. A. ervi and A. picipes were the dominant and sub-dominant species, with 54% and 28% of the primary parasite collected, respectively. Both species and T. deltiger were found on Aphis nasturti, Aulacorthum solani, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Myzus persicae, the four most important aphid potato in Belgium. Parasitism rate of A. nasturtii and, to a lesser extent, M. euphorbiae was low compared to A. solani and M. persicae. Parasitism of A. solani was particularly high, with 63.5% in 2000 and 89.2% in 2001, and this species was the preferred host of several Aphidiid species. The abundance of alternative hosts as other crops pest aphids or non-pest aphids on wild plants in agroecosystems could explains the efficacy of these species. The biological control of A. nasturtii and M. euphorbiae by parasitic hymenoptera was poorer, and several studies need to be undertaken to find suitable parasitic hymenoptera species effective on these aphids and agro-environmental measures able to promote them.     

Quantitative differences in aphid virulence and foliar symptom development on tomato plants carrying the Mi resistance gene

The Mi resistance gene in tomato reduces the feeding, fecundity, and survival of certain isolates of the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas). This study compared the performance of two potato aphid isolates, WU11 and WU12, on nearly isogenic susceptible (Mi-) and resistant (Mi+) tomato cultivars. Although Mi significantly reduced the population growth of both aphids, WU12 numbers decreased by only 15% compared with 95% for isolate WU11. These results show that there are quantitative differences in virulence among potato aphid isolates. Compared with WU11 aphids, isolate WU12 caused more necrosis on both resistant and susceptible plants, and this increased damage may play a role in the partial virulence of isolate WU12. However, infestation with aphid isolate WU12 did not compromise plant defenses against isolate WU11 in resistant plants. Prior inoculation with either aphid isolate caused a modest reduction in the survival of WU12 adults, but this form of induced resistance was observed on both resistant and susceptible cultivars. Thus, Mi did not play a role in acquired resistance or mediate any indirect interactions between the two aphid isolates. Notably, the mode of action of Mi-mediated resistance seemed to differ depending on the aphid isolate tested. Mi dramatically deterred feeding by WU11 aphids, whereas the effects of resistance on isolate WU12 seemed to be caused primarily by antibiosis. Tolerance did not seem to be a major component of Mi-mediated responses, although resistant plants showed a modest reduction in the amount of foliar necrosis induced per aphid compared with susceptible plants.     

Aphid responses to plants with genetically manipulated phloem nutrient levels

Abstract.  Aphids ( Myzus persicae , Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Aulacorthum solani ) are reared on potato plants with phloem sucrose concentrations reduced by up to two-fold by expressing the antisense of the sucrose-H⁺ symporter ( StSUT1 ) gene. The performance of My. persicae and A. solani on the antisense plants is comparable or superior to that on the wild-type plants, but Ma. euphorbiae increases more slowly on the antisense plants than on the wild-type and fails to feed from the antisense line with the lowest phloem sucrose concentration. Electrical monitoring by electical penetration graphs reveals that Ma. euphorbiae either do not locate the sieve elements or withdraw their stylets prematurely from the sieve elements of these plants. This difference between Ma. euphorbiae and the other aphid species may reflect interspecific variation in response both to the low phloem sucrose in transgenic plants and to pleiotropic effects of the transgene on the wider physiology of the plants. All aphid species perform well on plants with phloem sucrose concentrations that, when administered via chemically-defined diets, support little or no aphid growth. These results illustrate the need for caution in extrapolating conclusions reached for diet-reared aphids to aphids on plants, and demonstrate the importance of plant-based experiments for studies of the nutritional physiology of aphids.