角倍蚜气味结合蛋白和化学感受蛋白基因的鉴定及表达谱

【目的】通过对角倍蚜Schlechtendalia chinensis气味结合蛋白(odorant-binding proteins, OBPs)和化学感受蛋白(chemosensory proteins, CSPs)基因进行鉴定和表达谱分析,为研究OBPs和CSPs在角倍蚜嗅觉感知中的功能提供理论依据。【方法】基于角倍蚜基因组和不同发育阶段转录组数据,通过生物信息学方法鉴定和筛选角倍蚜OBPs和CSPs的基因序列;利用邻接法对角倍蚜与其他半翅目昆虫OBPs和CSPs的氨基酸序列进行系统发育分析;根据角倍蚜OBP和CSP基因在不同发育阶段(干雌、干母、春迁蚜、秋迁蚜、越冬若蚜、雌性蚜和雄性蚜)转录组数据中的TPM(tags per million)值进行表达丰度分析,结合qRT-PCR方法检测角倍蚜OBP和CSP基因在不同发育阶段的相对表达量。【结果】从角倍蚜基因组和转录组数据中鉴定出12个OBP基因(SchiOBP2-10,SchiOBP13-15)和9个CSP基因(SchiCSP1-2,SchiCSP4-10);系统发育分析发现,角倍蚜OBPs和CSPs与其他蚜虫OBPs和CSPs...     

甜菜夜蛾化学感受蛋白SexiCSP3结合特性分析

本研究构建夜蛾科昆虫化学感受蛋白系统进化树,发现化学感受蛋白在种间保守性强,并与气味结合蛋白明显分为两类。运用反转录RT-PCR方法克隆了Sexi CSP3基因,并在大肠杆菌中正确表达,重组Sexi CSP3蛋白纯化后通过荧光竞争结合实验测定其与24种外源气味分子的结合特性。结果表明:Sexi CSP3与苯甲醛、苯乙酮、2-戊基-3-苯丙基-烯醛、1-苯基-1-丁酮、对甲氧基苯甲醛的结合能力较强,解离常数为0.76、1.39、2.23、3.23和5.30μmol/L,推测Sexi CSP3可能参与了甜菜夜蛾对这5种化学物质的识别过程。     

枣食芽象甲化学感受蛋白PyasCSP4的基因克隆、表达及配体结合特征

【目的】本研究为明确枣树Zizyphus jujuba主要害虫枣食芽象甲Scythropus yasumatsui化学感受蛋白4(chemosensory protein 4, CSP4)的表达特点及配体结合特性。【方法】基于枣食芽象甲成虫触角转录组数据,利用RT-PCR方法克隆了枣食芽象甲PyasCSP4 cDNA序列,并进行生物信息学分析。通过RT-qPCR方法测定PyasCSP4在枣食芽象甲成虫不同组织(触角、去除触角的头、胸、腹、足和翅)中的表 达水平。通过原核表达系统和镍柱纯化获得PyasCSP4重组蛋白,采用荧光竞争结合实验测定重组蛋白PyasCSP4与35种枣树挥发物的结合特性。【结果】克隆获得枣食芽象甲PyasCSP4的cDNA序列(GenBank 登录号: OK322362),其开放阅读框全长为366 bp,编码121个氨基酸,N末端有18个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列, PyasCSP4成熟蛋白序列具有4个保守的半胱氨酸残基。RT-qPCR结果表明, PyasCSP4基因在成虫不同组织中均有表达,在触角和翅中的表达量显著高于在其他组织中的表达量。重组蛋白PyasCSP4与25种配体具有结合活性,尤其与α-蒎烯、α-水芹烯和罗勒烯等的结合能力最强,解离常数(Ki)值分别为6.29, 6.58和6.69 μmol/L。【结论】PyasCSP4能够与多种枣树挥发物结合,推测其可能在枣食芽象甲定位寄主植物的过程中发挥重要作用。本研究的结果对阐明枣食芽象甲嗅觉机制和开展绿色防控研究具有重要意义。     

小地老虎化学感受蛋白AipsCSP8的表达及配体结合特性分析

【目的】本研究旨在解析小地老虎Agrotis ipsilon化学感受蛋白AipsCSP8的表达谱及配体结合特征。【方法】利用qRT-PCR方法测定了AipsCSP8在小地老虎成虫头、胸、腹、足、翅、性腺(附腺)、触角、喙和下唇须以及雌雄虫羽化前后触角中的表达水平。体外重组表达AipsCSP8蛋白,通过荧光竞争结合实验测定重组蛋白AipsCSP8对24种性信息素、22种植物挥发物和10种化学农药的结合特性。【结果】qRT-PCR检测结果显示,AipsCSP8在小地老虎雄成虫的足和下唇须中表达量最高,在附腺和触角中的表达量次之;在雌成虫的触角中表达量最高,在足、性腺、下唇须中的表达量次之。另外,雄、雌虫触角中AipsCSP8表达量分别在成虫羽化前1 d和羽化当天达到顶峰。荧光竞争结合实验结果表明,重组蛋白AipsCSP8对植物挥发物邻苯二甲酸-丁酯(解离常数Ki=14.6 μmol/L)、苯乙醛(Ki=17.2 μmol/L)以及化学农药阿维菌素(Ki=12.9 μmol/L)均有较强的结合能力。【结论】化学感受蛋白AipsCSP8可能参与小地老虎嗅觉行为及味觉识别,并可能在小地老虎感受化学农药的过程中发挥作用。     

小菜蛾触角结合蛋白PxylOBP31的鉴定与结合特性分析

【目的】触角结合蛋白(antennal binding proteins,ABPs)为昆虫气味结合蛋白(odorant binding proteins,OBPs)家族的一个亚类,是昆虫识别和响应外界环境中气味信号的载体之一,对昆虫的生存和繁衍有着重要的意义。明确触角结合蛋白在小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)嗅觉识别中的作用,有助于揭示小菜蛾嗅觉识别分子机制。【方法】利用PCR技术克隆小菜蛾的一个触角结合蛋白基因;采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对该基因在小菜蛾不同发育阶段和成虫不同组织中的表达量进行分析;利用荧光竞争结合实验测试该触角结合蛋白与39种配基化合物的结合特性。【结果】成功克隆了一个小菜蛾触角结合蛋白基因,命名为Pxyl OBP31(Gen Bank登录号:KT156676)。序列分析结果显示,其开放阅读框全长411 bp,编码136个氨基酸,N端自起始位置开始21个氨基酸为信号肽,含有气味结合蛋白家族的6个保守半胱氨酸残基,预测分子量为14.74 k D,等电点为4.41。表达谱分析表明,Pxyl OBP31主要在雄蛾中表达,且交配后的雄蛾中表达量明显降低;该基因在小菜蛾触角中有较高表达,在雄蛾触角中的表达量比雌蛾触角中高近2倍。结合特性实验结果显示,Pxyl OBP31与醛、酮、萜品油烯以及邻苯二甲酸二异丁酯等物质的结合能力较强,与3种性信息素及其他烯烃与酯类结合能力弱。【结论】本研究明确了Pxyl OBP31的核苷酸序列以及发育和组织表达谱。根据qRT-PCR和荧光竞争结合实验结果,推测Pxyl OBP31蛋白可能与小菜蛾觅偶、定位寄主植物等行为有关。     

梨木虱化学感受蛋白CchiCSP8与梨树挥发物的结合特性分析

【目的】梨木虱Cacopsylla chinensis是我国重要的梨树害虫。本研究通过分析梨木虱化学感受蛋白8(chemosensory protein 8, CchiCSP8)与梨树挥发物的结合特性，综合研究CchiCSP8的嗅觉功能，为今后阐释梨木虱定位梨树的嗅觉机理提供前期基础。【方法】采用PCR方法克隆CchiCSP8的全长开放阅读框序列，并对推导的氨基酸序列与其他半翅目昆虫CSPs进行同源比对和进化分析；构建pET30a(+)-CchiCSP8的原核表达载体，通过大肠杆菌Escherichia coli体外表达、组氨酸标签蛋白镍磁珠纯化技术和荧光竞争性结合实验，共测定了重组蛋白CchiCSP8与41种梨树挥发物的结合能力。随后对CchiCSP8进行同源建模和分子对接分析。【结果】克隆获得了CchiCSP8全长序列，开放阅读框全长426 bp，编码141个氨基酸，N端有一个包含21个氨基酸的信号肽。成熟的CchiCSP8蛋白的预测分子量和等电点分别为15.02 kD和9.77；与其他半翅目昆虫CSPs的序列比对发现，CchiCSP8具有4个保守的半胱氨酸位点，并与柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri化学感受蛋白DcitCSP11的进化关系最近；pET30a(+)-CchiCSP8在IPTG诱导下在大肠杆菌中成功表达，并通过镍磁珠纯化获得纯净的CchiCSP8蛋白；采用荧光竞争性结合实验分析重组蛋白CchiCSP8的结合特性，结果显示CchiCSP8对18种梨树植物挥发物具有不同程度的结合能力(Ki=14~30 μmol/L)，包括4种烯烃、6种醇类、4种醛类、1种酮、1种酯类和2种芳香类物质，CchiCSP8与配体的结合力表现出了随碳原子数不同而变化的特点；分子对接结果显示CchiCSP8和每个配体之间的结合能相差不大(-4.2~6.0 kJ/mol)，这与上述荧光竞争结合实验的结果一致。在CchiCSP8与不同配体结合过程中，存在多个共有氨基酸残基，其中5个非极性残基(A38， A42， L93， L99和V100)以及2个极性残基(Q107和K46)的作用最为突出。【结论】CchiCSP8能够结合18种不同类型的梨树挥发物，推测其在梨 木虱识别梨树挥发物的过程起到重要作用，本研究结果可为明晰梨木虱在定位梨树过程中的嗅觉机制提供理论基础，并为开发基于扰乱嗅觉行为的新型梨木虱行为调控技术提供新思路。     

桃蛀螟性信息素结合蛋白CpunPBP3的表达模式及性信息素结合特性

[目的]本研究旨在对桃蛀螟Conogethes punctiferalis性信息素结合蛋白CpunPBP3进行鉴定和定性分析,完善对桃蛀螟性信息素感受机制的理解.[方法]扩增、分析桃蛀螟CpunPBP3的cDNA序列,并与其他草螟科昆虫的同源蛋白氨基酸序列进行比较.利用qRT-PCR测定桃蛀螟不同日龄雄成虫触角中Cpu...     

家蚕化学感受蛋白BmCSP4表达谱及结合特性分析

化学感受蛋白(chemosensory proteins, CSPs)是昆虫体内存在的一类主要识别和运载非挥发性的气味分子和化学刺激物的可溶性蛋白。本研究运用半定量RT-PCR方法分析了BmCSP4的时空及组织表达谱。结果表明： BmCSP4在家蚕Bombyx mori各发育阶段均表达, 但表达量从4龄到蛹期逐渐减少, 且在雌成虫头部、 胸部和腹部表达量较少。用1-NPN作为荧光探针, 测定了15种外源配基与BmCSP4蛋白的结合特性, 结果显示： 仅芳香醛类和芳香酮类化合物在浓度10 μmol/L能将1-NPN从BmCSP4中替换50%, 苯甲醛解离常数为3.20 μmol/L, 对甲氧基苯甲醛解离常数为2.24 μmol/L, 2-戊基-3-苯丙基-烯醛解离常数为2.88 μmol/L, 1-苯基-1-丁酮解离常数为2.04 μmol/L, 苯乙酮解离常数为2.52 μmol/L。据此推测, BmCSP4在不同的发育阶段执行不同的生理功能, 并可能参与对芳香醛、 芳香酮类气味识别过程。     

中华蜜蜂信息素结合蛋白OBP10的基因克隆、原核表达和配基结合特性分析

【目的】气味结合蛋白在中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana嗅觉系统中起到重要作用,本实验拟研究中华蜜蜂一个新的信息素结合蛋白OBP10及其与蜜蜂信息素以及蜜源开花植物挥发物的结合特性。【方法】本实验通过RT-PCR扩增获得OBP10基因全长(Gen Bank登录号:KP717060.1),以p ET-30a构建原核表达载体,并以Ni2+琼脂糖柱进行重组蛋白表达和分离纯化,在N-苯基-1-萘胺(N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine,1-NPN)作为荧光报告子下利用荧光光谱法体外研究重组Acer OBP10与多种候选化学配基的结合特征。【结果】经多序列联配分析,发现Acer OBP10的多个同源基因均为信息素结合蛋白(pheromone binding proteins,PBPs)。配基结合特性分析显示,Acer OBP10对14种候选配基中的蜂王信息素成分对羟基苯甲酸甲酯(HOB)竞争力最大,相对荧光可降至6.06%,解离常数11.04μmol/L;进一步表明Acer OBP10属于一个新的中蜂PBPs。此外,Acer OBP10也能和包括工蜂信息素(香叶醇和橙花醇)、报警信息素(2-庚酮和乙酸异戊酯)等蜜蜂信息素以及蜜源开花植物挥发物之一的β-紫罗兰酮结合,表明Acer OBP10可能是一种以信息素结合为主的多功能结合蛋白。【结论】Acer OBP10是中蜂一个新的信息素结合蛋白,与此前我们鉴定的蜂王信息素结合蛋白Acer ASP1相比,Acer OBP10对蜜蜂信息素的结合谱更为广泛,这些结果将对进一步研究中华蜜蜂信息素识别和传递提供理论基础,对于深入了解中华蜜蜂嗅觉影响生理功能的行为机制具有重要意义。     

Identification and functional characterization of an odorant receptor in pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum

The sensitive olfactory system is necessary for survival of insects.Odorant receptors (ORs)are located on the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons and play a critical role in odor detection.Insect ORs are functionally analyzed via heterologous expression in a Xenopus oocyte system using a two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC)electrophysiological recording.Here,we have identified a novel OR in the pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum,then we cloned and named it ApisOR4.We analyzed the ApisOR4 tissue expression patterns and found expression only in antennae tissues.Further functional analysis using TEVC revealed that ApisOR4 is broadly tuned to eight volatiles,which elicit electrophysiological response in pea aphid antennae.This study provides an initial functional analysis of aphid ORs and identifies candidate volatiles to be used in developing new strategies for aphid control.     

有翅和无翅豌豆蚜中翅型分化信号通路相关微小RNA及其靶基因的表达差异

【目的】前期研究发现麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae孤雌蚜有翅和无翅个体中存在很多差异表达的微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA),本研究旨在进一步明确这些miRNA在豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum中发挥作用的发育阶段,探索miRNA调控孤雌蚜翅两型性分化的机制。【方法】选择在麦长管蚜有翅蚜和无翅蚜中显著差异表达,且靶基因为蜕皮激素、胰岛素信号通路及翅型发育关键基因的5个miRNA(Let-7,miR-92a, miR-92b, miR-92a-1-p5和miR-277),利用qPCR检测这些miRNA及其靶标基因在豌豆蚜3-4龄若蚜和成虫有翅和无翅个体中的表达谱;同时利用双荧光素酶活性检测法对上述miRNA的靶基因进行验证。【结果】表达谱分析发现,这5个miRNA在豌豆蚜成虫中表达量均高于其在若蚜中的表达量,而其预测的靶基因在4龄若蚜中的表达量均高于其在成虫中的表达量,表明miRNA对其靶基因的调控作用可能集中在成虫阶段。分析豌豆蚜有翅和无翅个体中5个miRNA的表达情况发现,在成虫有翅个体中5个miRNA的表达量均高于无翅个体中的,其中miR-277表达差异最显著,成虫有翅个体中的表达量是无翅个体中表达量的7.5倍;其次为Let-7,表达差异达3倍。而Let-7在3龄有翅若蚜和无翅若蚜中表达差异最显著,有翅个体中的表达量是无翅个体中的37.8倍;其次为miR-277,表达差异达7.6倍。比较5个miRNA与其靶基因在豌豆蚜3-4龄若蚜及成虫有翅和无翅个体中的表达发现,miRNA Let-7和miR-92b的表达趋势分别与其靶基因abrupt和Foxo的基本相反。荧光素酶活性检测结果显示,Let-7的真实靶标为abrupt,共转染Let-7模拟物后与对照相比,荧光素酶活性下降53%,达极显著水平。其他miRNA与靶标基因的互作不显著。【结论】首次发现miRNA对豌豆蚜孤雌蚜翅型分化相关基因的调控可能发生在成虫阶段。Let-7可能通过调控abrupt基因参与孤雌蚜翅型分化。该研究为进一步探索miRNA参与孤雌蚜翅两型性分化的机制奠定了基础。     

Cannibalism in the pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum

Previous observations of cannibalism have been made in the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum （L.）： this article seeks to quantify factors contributing to such be- haviors. We observed and quantified the responses of a number of clones and life stages to varying levels of starvation, in the form of increasingly desiccated Vicafaba L. plants （receiving 50, 25, or 10 mL every second day） or a complete absence of host plant. We found that, while the longest incidences of cannibalism are carried out by juveniles （F = 3.45, P = 0.019, df = 3） and targeted at adults, the starvation treatments had the most significant effect on the prevalence of cannibalism in mature A. pisum （F ---- 2.24, P = 0.025, df = 9）. Furthermore, there was no difference between the prevalence or dura- tion of cannibalistic activities within and between different clones （P 〉 0.05 in all cases）, though juveniles were more likely to target unrelated aphids （V = 6 112, P = 0.011）, and spent more time feeding on aphids from the same culture （V = 6 062, P = 0.018）.     

豌豆蚜基因组P450基因家族的分析

细胞色素P450在各种内源和外源物质代谢中起着非常重要的作用。利用豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum基因组mRNA和氨基酸数据库研究P450基因功能的进化规律。通过生物信息学方法对豌豆蚜全基因组P450进行分析, 结果显示: 在豌豆蚜基因组中发现69个P450基因, 它们分别属于13个P450家族和18个亚家族, 是一个典型的多基因家族。进一步将这些基因与豌豆蚜ESTs数据库进行了比对分析, 其中39个候选基因有EST证据, 证明了这些P450基因在转录水平的真实性。以氨基酸相似度大于60%为标准对豌豆蚜基因组中P450基因进行分组, 69个P450基因中, 除18个基因序列因差异太大, 不能被归入任何一组, 其余51个可归入10个组, 其中8个组(包含47条序列)适合于正选择和基因转换分析。正选择和基因转换分析结果表明: 仅有1个组(含9个基因)显著受到正选择压力作用, 正选择概率大于95%的氨基酸位点分别是20T和27N, 20T位于底物识别位点SRS1, 27N位于D. helix; 有3个组(包含8个基因）显示显著的基因转换事件。 参与基因转换的基因均为CYP4家族成员, 分别是CYP4C, CYP4G和CYP4V亚家族。 参与基因转换的成员之间的蛋白相似度较高（70％~95％）, 且XM_001944991与XM_001951794同存在于SCAFFOLD12542上, XM_001945510与XM_001944057同存在于SCAFFOLD7010上。这可能暗示豌豆蚜P450基因通过基因复制, 然后通过基因转换使P450获得新的功能, 以适应多变的生存环境。此外, 鉴定出20个不同的基序, 其中有5条基序在90％以上的基因中出现。      

Identification and expression profiles analysis of odorant‐binding proteins in soybean aphid,Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is an extreme specialist and an important invasive pest that relies on olfaction for behaviors such as feeding, mating, and foraging. Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) play a vital role in olfaction by binding to volatile compounds and by regulating insect sensing of the environment. In this work we used rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends technology to identify and characterize 10 genes encoding A. glycines OBPs (AglyOBPs) belonging to 3 subfamilies, including 4 classic OBPs, 5 Plus‐C OBPs, and one Minus‐C OBP. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated variable specific expression patterns for the 10 genes based on developmental stage and aphid tissue sampled. Expression levels of 7 AglyOBPs (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10) were highest in the 4th instar, indicating that the 4th nymphal instar is an important developmental period during which soybean aphids regulate feeding and search for host plants. Tissue‐specific expression results demonstrated that AglyOBP2, 7, and 9 exhibited significantly higher expression levels in antennae. Meanwhile, ligand‐binding analysis of 5 OBPs demonstrated binding of AglyOBP2 and AglyOBP3 to a broad spectrum of volatiles released by green leaf plants, with bias toward 6‐ to 8‐carbon chain volatiles and strong binding of AglyOBP7 to trans‐β‐farnesene. Taken together, our findings build a foundation of knowledge for use in the study of molecular olfaction mechanisms and provide insights to guide future soybean aphid research.     

豌豆蚜唾液蛋白家族的克隆及在不同发育阶段的表达

豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum是一种重要的刺吸式害虫, 其分泌的唾液对取食寄主植物和传播植物病毒有重要的作用。为了探讨蚜虫唾液蛋白的功能, 本研究克隆了在豌豆蚜唾液腺高表达的一个未知功能的蛋白家族, 该家族包括13个基因, 编码14种蛋白, 其中4个基因在唾液腺高表达。这个家族是蚜虫特有的蛋白家族, 富含半胱氨酸, 有14个半胱氨酸高度保守, 其中6个半胱氨酸形成3个保守的CXXC结构域。通过与基因组比对, 发现这个家族的基因没有内含子, 分布在基因组的9个scaffold上。用半定量逆转录PCR检测了每个成员在豌豆蚜不同发育阶段的表达, 结果显示这个家族没有发育阶段特异性。推测这个家族的表达可能具有组织特异性, 有氧化还原酶或DNA甲基化酶的功能。     

Entomopathogenic fungi stimulate transgenerational wing induction in pea aphids,Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

1. Aphid natural enemies include not only predators and parasitoids but also pathogens, of which fungi are the most studied for biological control. While wing formation in aphids is induced by abiotic conditions, it is also affected by biotic interactions with their arthropod natural enemies. Wing induction via interactions with arthropod natural enemies is mediated by the increase in their physical contact when alarmed (pseudo‐crowding). Pathogenic fungi do not trigger this alarm behaviour in aphids and, therefore, no pseudo‐crowding occurs. 2. We hypothesise that, while pathogenic fungi will stimulate maternally induced wing formation, the mechanism is different and is influenced by pathogen specificity. We tested this hypothesis using two entomopathogenic fungi, Pandora neoaphidis and Beauveria bassiana, an aphid specialist and a generalist respectively, on the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris. 3. We first demonstrate that pea aphids infected with either pathogen and maintained in groups on broad bean plants produced a higher proportion of winged morphs than uninfected control aphids. We then show that, when maintained in isolation, aphids infected with either pathogen also produced higher proportions of winged offspring than control aphids. There was no difference between P. neoaphidis and B. bassiana in their effects on wing induction in either experiment. 4. Unlike the effect of predators and parasitoids on pea aphid wing induction, the effect of pathogens is independent of physical contact with other aphids, suggesting that physiological cues induce wing formation in infected aphids. It is possible that aphids benefit from wing induction by escaping infected patches whilst pathogens may benefit through dispersion. Possible mechanisms of wing induction are discussed.     

Facultative 'secondary' bacterial symbionts and the nutrition of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Abstract.  Facultative 'secondary' bacterial symbionts influence various traits of aphids, including plant utilization patterns and resistance to parasitoids. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that these multiple effects are underlain by symbiont-mediated changes to the aphid requirement for the dominant dietary nutrients, sucrose and amino acids. The performance of pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) on chemically defined diets of systematically altered sucrose and amino acid content varies among eight parthenogenetic clones, with a pattern that does not match the aphid complements of secondary symbionts, Hamiltonella defensa , Regiella insecticola and Serratia symbiotica . Aphid performance is reduced, increased and unaffected by elimination of S. symbiotica , R. insecticola and H. defensa , respectively, but with no significant effect on the range of diets on which aphids performed well. It is concluded that the impact of secondary symbionts on aphid traits is most unlikely to have a purely nutritional basis.     

Temporal changes in host adaptation in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Abstract.

• 1 Temporal changes in host adaptation were followed in a local population of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Aphid clones were collected in one alfalfa and one clover field at three different times. In the spring, first-generation females were collected. Later, in the autumn, females belonging to the last parthenogenetic generation were collected. Lastly, sexual females were collected after mating in autumn and allowed to produce eggs which were hatched. The performance was evaluated on alfalfa and clover. The spring-collected individuals were also assessed on peas.
• 2 On the overwintering hosts clover and alfalfa, the clones performed best on the plant of origin, i.e. negative correlations in performance. Correlations between performance on the temporary summer host, pea, and that on clover/alfalfa were weak or nonsignificant.
• 3 Significant variation in host performance was found within both host fields at spring, which is a prerequisite for changes in clone composition due to selection/migration.
• 4 The clones from alfalfa showed an increase in mean performance on alfalfa between spring and autumn, whereas no changes among the clones from the clover field were observed. This difference in seasonal response between the two fields could have been the result of larger variation in performance among the alfalfa clones and/or a differential tendency to migrate among clones in both fields.
• 5 After sexual recombination in the autumn, mean performance in the alfalfa field returned to the spring level, probably as a result of emergence of new genetic combinations. In the clover field, mean performance did not change significantly over time.