Oligosaccharide synthesis regulates gut osmolality in the ant-attended aphid Metopeurum fuscoviride but not in the unattended aphid Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria

Abstract:  An artificial phloem sap (APS) for Metopeurum fuscoviride and Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria , based on analysis of their host plant, Tanacetum vulgare , phloem sap, contained 308  μ g/ μ l (900  μ mol/ μ l) sucrose (and no other sugars) and a mixture of 14 amino acids with a total concentration of 82.5 nmol/ μ l. There was no significant difference in the total amino acid concentration of the honeydew of adult M. fuscoviride fed on the host plant and aphids fed on APS. Incubation of isolated guts in APS indicated no role of gut bacteria or gut enzymes on the amino acid pattern in the gut. The sugar composition of the honeydew of the ant-attended M. fuscoviride indicated a rapid digestion of sucrose into glucose and fructose, and the simultaneous synthesis of considerable amounts of melezitose and some trehalose. The sugar composition of the honeydew of the unattended M. tanacetaria in contrast showed only traces of trehalose and melezitose, but up to 20% erlose in plant-fed aphids. Incubation of isolated guts of M. fuscoviride in APS demonstrated a steady high rate of melezitose synthesis by gut enzymes over an 8-h period. Incubation of isolated guts of M. tanacetaria on the other hand demonstrated only a moderate rate of erlose synthesis and no detectable melezitose or trehalose. Melezitose in the aphid M. fuscoviride is a signal sugar for ants (ecological function), indicating the presence of abundant sugar rich honeydew [ Woodring et al. (2004) Physiol. Entomol. , vol. 29, pp. 311–319]. It was estimated that melezitose reduces the gut osmolality of M. fuscoviride to approximately 25–35% of what it would be without the synthetases (physiological function). M. tanacetaria on the other hand produces very little honeydew, is not attended by ants, and thus there is little need to synthesize large amounts of oligosaccharides to attract ants or for osmoregulation.     

On the processes shaping reproductive isolation in aphids of the Aphis fabae (Scop.) complex (Aphididae: Homoptera)

Models of sympatric speciation for phytophagous insects are based on the premise that ecological specialization on different host plants can indirectly result in significant reproductive isolation. A candidate example of host plant shift is provided by the partially reproductively-isolated aphids Aphis fabae fabae and A. f. mordwilkoi , which utilize different hosts for sexual reproduction. However, unexpected isolation based on mating behaviour was found for these two aphids. In olfactometer trials, males responded to the pheromones of females of both subspecies when presented a subspecies in isolation but preferentially to females of the same subspecies in choice tests. On contact, the incidence or duration of between-subspecies copulations was significantly lower than same-subspecies copulations, and spermatozoa were transferred during 88% of the same-subspecies copulations, but only 19% of between-subspecies copulations. These data are indicative of strong pre-zygotic isolation between the subspecies. Complementary restriction analysis of mitochondrial DNA and a plasmid (pAFE/eu) in an obligate symbiotic bacterium (Buchnera) revealed a paraphyletic relationship among four subspecies of A. fabae (A. f. fabae, A. f mordwilkoi, A. f cirsiiacanthoidis and A. f. solanella). We discuss how the lack of clear genetic differentiation between A. f. fabae and A. f. mordwilkoi , despite substantial pre-zygotic isolation, may be a consequence of reinforcement.     

Wedged between bottom-up and top-down processes: aphids on tansy

Abstract. 1. Many species of aphids exploit a single host‐plant species and have to cope with changing environmental conditions. They often vary greatly in abundance even when feeding on the same host. In a field experiment, the bottom‐up (plant quality/patch type frequency) and top‐down (ant attendance/predation) effects on the abundance of four species of aphids feeding on tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) were tested using a full factorial design. In addition, a model was used to examine these patch characteristics for their relative effects on the population dynamics and abundance of different aphid species. 2. Aphid numbers changed significantly depending on the quality of the host plant and the presence/absence of attending ants. The obligate myrmecophile, Metopeurum fuscoviride, was abundant on high‐quality plants, while on poor quality plants or on plants without attending ants these aphids did not survive until the end of the experiment. The facultative myrmecophiles, Aphis fabae and Brachycaudus cardui, and the unattended aphid species, Macrosiphoniella tanacetaria, all reached similar peak population densities, but M. tanacetaria did best in poor quality patches. 3. Natural enemies reduced aphid numbers, but those species feeding on high‐quality plants survived longer than those on poor‐quality plants, which existed only for a short period of time, especially when associated with ants. Losses due to migration of winged morphs and mortality caused by parasitoids were insignificant. 4. Varying the frequency of different patch types in a model indicates that different degrees of associations with ants are favoured in different environments. If the proportion of high‐quality patches in a habitat is large, obligate myrmecophiles do best. On increasing the number of poor‐quality patches, unattended species become more abundant. 5. The results suggest that, in spite of large species specific differences in growth rates, degree of myrmecophily or life cycle features, the temporal and spatial variability in top‐down and bottom‐up forces differentially affects aphid species and allows the simultaneous exploitation of a shared host‐plant species.     

Competition for mutualists in an ant–homopteran interaction mediated by hierarchies of ant attendance

Workers of the ant species Lasius niger showed marked preferences when collecting honeydew from three aphid species living on tansy, Tanacetum vulgare . Colonies of Metopeurum fuscoviride were visited most intensively, Brachycaudus cardui had an intermediate position, and colonies of Aphis fabae were visited least intensively. L. niger abandoned colonies of the less preferred species as soon as colonies of a higher-ranked species were available on neighbouring tansy plants. As a consequence, the abandoned colonies suffered a higher predation by aphid predators and persisted for a shorter time than attended colonies of the same species. If two aphid species were present in a mixed colony on the same shoot, the preferred species increased in numbers, while the less preferred species decreased due to predation by L. niger . The results show that there is a competition for the mutualistic services of ants between aphid species exploiting the same resource. The outcome of this competition depends on the aphid's selective attractiveness to ants, which corresponded with already reported differences in honeydew quality and quantity.     

Multitrophic interactions involving genetically modified potatoes, nontarget aphids, natural enemies and hyperparasitoids

Genetically modified (GM) potatoes expressing a cysteine proteinase inhibitor (cystatin) have been developed as an option for the management of plant parasitic nematodes. The relative impact of such plants on predators and parasitoids (natural enemies) of nontarget insects was determined in a field trial. The trial consisted of GM plants, control plants grown in soil treated with a nematicide and untreated control plants. The quantity of nontarget aphids and their quality as hosts for natural enemies were studied. Aphid density was significantly reduced by nematicide treatment and few natural enemies were recorded from treated potatoes during the study. In contrast, similar numbers of aphids and their more abundant predators were recorded from the untreated control and the GM potatoes. The size of aphids on GM and control plants was recorded twice during the study. During the first sampling period (2-9 July) aphids clip-caged on GM plants were smaller than those on control plants. During the second sampling period (23-30 July) there was no difference in aphid size between those from the GM and control plants. Host size is an important component of host quality. It can affect the size and fecundity of parasitoid females and the sex ratio of their offspring. However, neither the fitness of females of Aphidius ervi, the most prevalent primary parasitoid, nor the sex ratio of their progeny, were affected when the parasitoids developed on aphids feeding on GM plants. Two guilds of secondary parasitoid were also recorded during the study. The fitness of the most abundant species, Aspahes vulgaris, was not affected when it developed on hosts from GM plants. The transgene product, OC I Delta D86, was not detected in aphids that had fed on GM plants in the field, suggesting that there is minimal secondary exposure of natural enemies to the inhibitor. The results indicate that transgenic nematode resistance is potentially more compatible with aphid biological control than is current nematicide use.     

Flight behaviour of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, and the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, in host and non-host plant odour

Abstract. Walking alate virginoparae of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Aphis fabae Scopoli were presented with odours of steam-distilled extracts of the non-host plants summer savoury ( Satureja hortensis L.) and tansy ( Tanacetum vulgare L.) in an olfactometer. No effects of the extracts were observed on B. brassicae. However, A.fabae were repelled by summer savoury and tansy odour; both extracts also masked an attractant response to bean (host plant) odour. In a flight chamber, air permeated with odour from host or non-host plants was blown over flying alates of both species, with a green, plant-mimicking target presented once a minute. The incidence of targeted (host-responsive) flight of B.brassicae was not affected by odour from a growing host plant ( Brassica oleoracea ) or a non-host plant tansy. Host plant ( Vicia faba ) odour did not affect the initial rate of climb or the incidence of targeted flight of A.fabae , but when the bean odour was alternated with odour from non-host tansy plants a greater number of targeted flights occurred in the host plant odour. The volatile extracts of tansy and summer savoury were also presented to flying A.fabae. Aphids flying in air permeated with tansy odour at 450g plant equivalents initiated fewer targeted flights than when flying in clean air. However, no differences in flight behaviour were observed with summer savoury extract. In a horizontal wind tunnel the tansy extract at 90 g plant equivalents blown across the surface of yellow targets reduced the numbers of alate A.fabae landing. The results indicate that plant odours can affect flight and landing of aphids.     

The cost of being able to fly in the milkweed-oleander aphid,Aphis nerii (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Summary In the wing dimorphic milkweed-oleander aphid,Aphis nerii, winged aphids begin reproducing about 1.5 days after wingless aphids. The longer maturation period is primarily due to slower development since even adult eclosion by winged aphids takes place after wingless aphids begin reproducing. The delay is not due to a post-eclosion, pre-reproductive flight since, beginning with the fourth instar, larval winged aphids were reared at a density of one per plant and the vast majority were not stimulated to fly under such low-density conditions. Thus, the ability to fly incurs a fitness cost in terms of delayed reproduction, irrespective of whether flight actually occurs. We did not observe a difference between morphs for lifetime fecundity, even though wingless aphids have larger abdomens than winged aphids and for both morphs there is a significant correlation between abdomen width and fecundity. Offspring produced by wingless aphids over the first four days of reproduction are larger than those produced by winged aphids, and the size difference at birth is maintained into adulthood. However, there are no differences in life history traits between these offspring, including maturation period and lifetime fecundity. Thus, reduced body size does not increase the cost of being able to fly, at least under the conditions of these experiments. The cost of being able to fly in this species should favor reduced production of winged individuals in populations that exploit more permanent host plants.     

Phenotypic plasticity in host-plant specialisation in Aphis fabae

Abstract.  1. The study of phenotypic plasticity in host utilisation is crucial for predicting evolutionary patterns of insect – plant interactions. The presence of sufficient variation in plasticity may facilitate host race formation and sympatric speciation.
2.  Aphis fabae genotypes showed high levels of phenotypic plasticity in the intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m), relative growth rate (RGR), birth weight (BW), adult weight (AW), fecundity ( F ), and development time (1/ d ).
3. Thirteen A. fabae genotypes reared both on broad bean and nasturtium exhibited statistically significant genotypic variability in phenotypic plasticity.
4. Some genotypes displayed fitness improvement on novel host plants.
5. Differences in genotypic correlation among fitness components between the two hosts and increased variance on nasturtium indicated different genomic expression on nasturtium.
6. The results indicated that phenotypic plasticity in a novel environment may be a major determinant of the evolutionary trajectory of a parasitic species and might support the idea that speciation starts with phenotypic plasticity.     

Salicylic acid-mediated reductions in yield in Nicotiana attenuata challenged by aphid herbivory

Aphid herbivory decreases primary production in natural ecosystems and reduces crop yields. The mechanism for how aphids reduce yield is poorly understood as some studies suggest aphid feeding directly impedes photosynthesis, whereas other studies suggest a change in allocation of resources from growth to defense compounds reduces yield. To determine the mechanisms underlying reduced plant growth by aphids, Nicotiana attenuata plants, native tobacco, were infested with Myzus persicae ssp. nicotianae, tobacco-adapted green peach aphids, at low and high densities, and plant performance including fitness was assessed. To test the direct defense capacity of salicylic acid (SA) on aphid performance, we fed aphids an artificial diet with varying levels of SA and measured their survivorship and fecundity. There was no detectable effect of aphid herbivory on net photosynthesis, yet herbivory reduced plant growth, final biomass (43 % at high aphid density), and seed set (18 % at high aphid density) at both low and high aphid infestation levels. High-density aphid attack during the rosette and flowering stage caused an increase in SA levels, but caused only a transient decrease in jasmonic acid concentration at low aphid density. SA concentrations similar to those found in infested flowering plants decreased aphid fecundity, suggesting that SA was an effective chemical defense response against aphids. These results suggest that as aphid densities increased the proximal cause of reduced growth and yield was not reduced photosynthesis, but instead resources may have been mobilized for defense via the SA pathway, decreasing the availability of resources for building plant biomass.     

Quality of two aphid species (Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae) as food for the generalist predator Tachyporus hypnorum (Col., Staphylinidae)

Abstract:  The quality of two aphid species ( Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae ) as food for the staphylinid generalist predator Tachyporus hypnorum was investigated. Fruit flies ( Drosophila melanogaster ) were used as prey for comparison. T. hypnorum has been reported to prey on aphids, to consume large quantities and to show a high preference for aphids. This study showed that compared with fruit flies aphids are not high-quality prey for neither adult females nor larvae of T. hypnorum . Larvae were less able to utilize aphids than adult females. Reproduction was affected by both aphid species; a diet of S. avenae reduced fecundity, and a diet of R. padi reduced egg hatching success and prolonged the time spent in the egg stage compared with a fruit fly diet. For the T. hypnorum larvae pure diets of both S. avenae and R. padi resulted in high larval mortality. Overall ranking of the three prey types based on several fitness parameters differed between larvae and adults. The adult fitness parameters gave rather conflicting rankings of all three prey types though the two aphid species were of approximately the same overall value, whereas the larval fitness parameters gave identical rankings: D. melanogaster  >  S. avenae  >  R. padi . In the larval stage survival was greatly reduced by both aphid diets, while this was not the case for the adult females.     

The influence of size and duration of aphid infestation on host plant quality, and its effect on sugar beet yellowing virus epidemiology

This paper studies the influence of previous infestation on the host quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) for aphids and the influence of previous infestation on sugar beet yellowing virus epidemiology. Sugar beet previously infested with Myzus persicae (Sulzer) or Aphis fabae Scopoli (Homoptera: Aphididae) had an improved host quality for subsequently infesting aphids of the same species. There was a significant negative relationship between the number of M. persicae infesting a plant and the proportion of those that died with a dark deposit in their stomachs, and a significant positive relationship between the number that settled on a plant and the number that infested it previously. Nymphs feeding on previously infested plants grew more rapidly than those on control plants. The beneficial effect of previous infestation persisted for at least 2 weeks and prolongation of the infestation beyond 2 weeks was of no further benefit to the aphids. Field grown sugar beet, previously colonised by M. persicae, was more susceptible to natural infestation by M. persicae up to 5 days after exposure. Previously infested plants were also more susceptible to infection with beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) but not beet yellows virus (BYV), suggesting that the aphids on the previously infested sugar beet settled more readily and were more inclined to feed (and thus transmit BMYV) than aphids on the previously uninfested plants. The consequences for the control of sugar beet yellowing virus vectors are discussed.     

Explaining the coexistence of asexuals with their sexual progenitors: no evidence for general-purpose genotypes in obligate parthenogens of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae

In parthenogens, selection acts on entire genotypes rather than individual alleles. The general‐purpose genotype hypothesis (GPG) predicts that temporally variable environments select for clones with broad ecological tolerances. These general‐purpose genotypes should exhibit low fitness variance and high geometric mean fitness across environments. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the fitness of obligately and cyclically parthenogenetic genotypes of the peach‐potato aphid, Myzus persicae, on three unrelated host plants. We found genetic variation for the relative performance on different hosts, but no difference in geometric mean fitness between obligate and cyclical parthenogens. Thus, for an environmental variable of major importance to aphids, the GPG hypothesis was not supported. In addition, the lack of an overall fitness difference between reproductive modes suggests that cyclical parthenogens incur no cost of polyphenism, but neither can they compensate for the cost of sex during the parthenogenetic phase of their life cycle.     

Interaction between plant resistance and predation of Aphis fabae (Homoptera: Aphididae) by Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

We investigated the compatibility of host plant resistance to the black bean aphid in the faba bean crop with the use of the predatory ladybird beetle for biological control under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Greenhouse experiments indicated that apteriform Aphis fabae reproduced on Vicia faba major (susceptible) and on 79S4 (partially resistant) cultivars at different rates. During the entire experimental period, aphids built up higher populations on V. faba major than on 79S4 cultivar. Aphid numbers on 79S4 were about 37% of those on V. faba major after 14 days. Release of a newly hatched Coccinella septempunctata larva onto each plant significantly reduced aphid density to 32.8% and 57.2% on V. faba major and 79S4 on day 14, respectively. Partial resistance combined with predation was more effective in lessening aphid numbers on faba bean than either the predator or the plant resistance alone. Laboratory tests showed that prey, A.   fabae , raised on susceptible cultivar was more suitable for the predator as food source, enhancing the development rate and fecundity than aphids fed on the partially resistant cultivar. Consumption of aphids reared on susceptible cultivar significantly increased the female fecundity and fertility of C. septempunctata by 37.7% and 33.2%, respectively, more than those fed with aphids from partially resistant cultivar. Pre-oviposition time was shortened by 4.5 days, and oviposition period was extended by 11.4 days. Feeding the predator on aphids from the partially resistant cultivar prolonged the embryonic larval developmental time and the time required from egg laying to adult emergence by 19.8, 10.1 and 32.5 h, respectively. Adult longevity was not influenced by the aphid source. The results are discussed in relation to the compatible utilisation of host plant resistance and biological control in the integrated management of aphids.     

Fungal plant endosymbionts alter life history and reproductive success of aphid predators

Endosymbionts occur in most plant species and may affect interactions among herbivores and their predators through the production of toxic alkaloids. Here, we ask whether effects of mycotoxins produced by the symbiosis of the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium lolii and the grass Lolium perenne are transmitted to the aphidophagous ladybird Coccinella septempunctata when feeding on cereal aphids Rhopalosiphum padi on infected plants. The larval development of coccinellids was extended, while their survival was reduced when feeding exclusively on aphids from infected plants. Ladybirds developing on aphids from infected plants showed reduced fecundity and impaired reproductive performance. Body size and symmetries of ladybird adults were not affected by the endophytes. Consistently strong, negative effects of endophytes on the lifetime performance of ladybirds indicates that mycotoxins are transmitted along food chains, causing significant damage for top predators. Such cascading effects will influence the population dynamics of aphid predators in the long term and could feedback to the primary plant producers.     

Performance of clones and morphs of two cereal aphids on wheat plants with high and low nitrogen content

The great variability of the aphid life cycle and their tendency for host alternation gives rise to aphid clones and morphs. Inter‐ and intraclonal variability may be observed in the responses of aphids to various environmental factors. In this study we aimed to evaluate the influence of intrinsic factors (clone and morph type) on the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), and the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus). For each species four apterous clones were collected from established laboratory colonies and compared to assess their relative fitness on high‐ and low‐nitrogen wheat plants under laboratory conditions. The clones had significantly different intrinsic rates of increase on high‐ and low‐nitrogen plants. All R. padi clones had a higher intrinsic rate of increase and mean relative growth rate than S. avenae. Experiments were also conducted to compare the mean fecundity of apterous and alate morphs of S. avenae and R. padi clones on high‐ and low‐nitrogen wheat plants. On high‐nitrogen plants the apterous morphs of S. avenae clones had significantly higher mean fecundity than alate morphs. There were no significant differences between the mean fecundity of alate morphs of the same species on high‐ and low‐nitrogen plants. The results support the idea of better fitness of specific clones/morphs on certain host plants due to higher and lower intrinsic rates of increase.     

Effects of bacterial secondary symbionts on host plant use in pea aphids

Aphids possess several facultative bacterial symbionts that have important effects on their hosts'' biology. These have been most closely studied in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), a species that feeds on multiple host plants. Whether secondary symbionts influence host plant utilization is unclear. We report the fitness consequences of introducing different strains of the symbiont Hamiltonella defensa into three aphid clones collected on Lathyrus pratensis that naturally lack symbionts, and of removing symbionts from 20 natural aphid–bacterial associations. Infection decreased fitness on Lathyrus but not on Vicia faba, a plant on which most pea aphids readily feed. This may explain the unusually low prevalence of symbionts in aphids collected on Lathyrus. There was no effect of presence of symbiont on performance of the aphids on the host plants of the clones from which the H. defensa strains were isolated. Removing the symbiont from natural aphid–bacterial associations led to an average approximate 20 per cent reduction in fecundity, both on the natural host plant and on V. faba, suggesting general rather than plant-species-specific effects of the symbiont. Throughout, we find significant genetic variation among aphid clones. The results provide no evidence that secondary symbionts have a major direct role in facilitating aphid utilization of particular host plant species.     

Climate effects on life cycle variation and population genetic architecture of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae

Aphid species may exhibit different reproductive modes ranging from cyclical to obligate parthenogenesis. The distribution of life cycle variation in aphids is generally determined by ecological forces, mainly climate, because only sexually produced diapausing eggs can survive harsh winters or periods of absence of suitable host plants. Aphids are thus interesting models to investigate intrinsic and environmental factors shaping the competition among sexual and asexual lineages. We conducted a Europe-wide sampling of black bean aphids, Aphis fabae, and combined population genetic analyses based on microsatellite data with an experimental determination of life cycle strategies. Aphids were collected from broad beans (Vicia faba) as well as some Chenopodiaceae, but we detected no genetic differentiation between aphids from different host plants. Consistent with model predictions, life cycle variation was related to climate, with aphids from areas with cold winters investing more in sexual reproduction than aphids from areas with mild winters. Accordingly, only populations from mild areas exhibited a clear genetic signature of clonal reproduction. These differences arise despite substantial gene flow over large distances, which was evident from a very low geographic population structure and a lack of isolation-by-distance among 18 sites across distances of more than 1000 km. There was virtually no genetic differentiation between aphids with different reproductive modes, suggesting that new asexual lineages are formed continuously. Indeed, a surprising number of A. fabae genotypes even from colder climates produced some parthenogenetic offspring under simulated winter conditions. From this we predict that a shift to predominantly asexual reproduction could take place rapidly under climate warming.     

AGGREGATION IN APHIS FABAE SCOP. I. AGGREGATION ON PLANTS

A study of free infestations of Aphis fabae Scop. on the leaves of its host plants, spindle and sugar beet, showed that the clustered distribution of the aphids within the boundaries of each leaf was not a matter of chance but involved active aggregation. Experiments in small leaf cages showed that aggregation could take place independently of any differences between portions of a leaf, being brought about by truly gregarious reactions between the aphids. Experiments in which walking aphids were made to encounter other live or dummy aphids fixed to leaves, showed that the gregarious reactions were of at least two kinds. The aphids both probed more often, and remained inserted for longer, near other aphids than apart from them.
It appears that the unequal distribution of aphids among the leaves of a plant is due primarily to intrinsic differences between leaves, but is aided by gregariousness, while the aggregations observed on leaves are due primarily to gregariousness, and only secondarily to differences between portions of a leaf. It is suggested that the primary function of gregariousness is to concentrate the aphids on to the best feeding sites, both among the parts of a plant, and among whole plants; that is, it acts as an aid in host selection, even with aphids which do not aggregate so compactly as A. fabae. The functions of compact aggregation and other specialized forms of gregarious behaviour remain to be discovered.     

Categories of resistance at different growth stages in halt,a winter wheat resistant to the Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

This study was designed to categorize the resistance to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), resistant hard red winter wheat, Halt, as compared with susceptible wheat, TAM 107, at four different growth stages. Antixenosis was expressed in Halt at growth stage Zadoks 30. Antibiosis in Halt affected fecundity, number of aphids produced per reproductive day, maximum number of nymphs produced in one day, and intrinsic rate of increase. Fecundity was lower on Halt than TAM 107, and more nymphs were produced on both varieties at growth stage 20 than 10 and 40. Fewer nymphs were produced per reproductive day and on maximum production days by aphids reared on Halt than by those reared on TAM 107. The intrinsic rate of increase of Russian wheat aphids reared on Halt was lower than aphids reared on TAM 107. Differences in plant height and plant dry weight did not occur. Chlorosis ratings showed greater damage at the earlier stages in Halt and TAM 107 and significantly more damage in TAM 107 than Halt at growth stages 10, 20, and 30. Leaf rolling occurred on infested plants of TAM 107 at growth stages 10, 20, and 30, but not growth stage 40. Halt plants did not exhibit leaf rolling. The presence of a significant level of tolerance could make Halt compatible with other integrated pest management programs. However, care should be taken with cultivars containing evidence of antixenosis or antibiosis that could cause selective pressure on the Russian wheat aphid, potentially causing biotypes to be produced.     

Impact of transgenic cotton plants on a non-target pest, Aphis gossypii Glover

Abstract.  1. Transgenic crops have shown great promise for the control of target pest insects, but in some cases they can also influence non-target species. This study investigated the impact of Bt and Bt+CpTI transgenic cottons on the non-target cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, by comparing life-table parameters, feeding behaviour, and the fluctuating asymmetry of morphological traits of aphids reared on transgenic cotton and those on untransformed control plants.
2. Aphids on the Bt+CpTI cotton showed a shorter reproductive duration and maximum lifespan, lower survival rates and potential maximum fecundity, and an earlier occurrence of peak daily mortality in the first or second generation. However, the aphid population soon developed fitness and overcame the negative effect in the second or third generation. The aphids on the Bt cotton had significantly longer reproductive durations in the first generation, higher survival rates in the third generation, and apparently larger potential maximum fecundity in all three generations.
3. The percentages of accumulated duration of feeding waveforms E1 and E2 were significantly lower in aphids on the Bt+CpTI cotton than in those on the Bt or control cotton, whereas the frequencies of moving and finding feeding sites, and probe behaviour were significantly higher.
4. Fluctuating asymmetry in three morphological characters of aphids reared on transgenic and control cotton was detected. The fluctuating asymmetry value of the third segment of antenna in aphids on Bt+CpTI cotton was significantly higher than that of aphids on Bt or control cotton. Based on the fluctuating asymmetry value, the stress of cotton on the aphids could be ranked as Bt+CpTI cotton > Bt cotton > control cotton.