Showing papers on "Aphididae published in 2016"
TL;DR: Ability to overwinter on living annual and perennial hosts in southern sorghum-producing areas and wind-aided movement of alate aphids appear to be the main factors in its impressive geographic spread in North America.
Abstract: In 2013, the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a new invasive pest of sorghum species in North America, was confirmed on sorghum in 4 states and 38 counties in the United States. In 2015, the aphid was reported on sorghum in 17 states and over 400 counties as well as all sorghum-producing regions in Mexico. Ability to overwinter on living annual and perennial hosts in southern sorghum-producing areas and wind-aided movement of alate aphids appear to be the main factors in its impressive geographic spread in North America. Morphological characteristics of the sugarcane aphid include dark tarsi, cornicles, and antennae, allowing easy differentiation from other aphids on the crop. Sugarcane aphid damages sorghum by removing sap and covering plants with honeydew, causing general plant decline and yield loss. Honeydew and sooty mold can disrupt harvesting. The aphid's high reproductive rate on susceptible sorghum hybrids has resulted in reports of yield loss ranging from 10% to greater than 50%. In response, a combination of research-based data and field observations has supported development of state extension identification, scouting, and treatment guides that aid in initiating insecticide applications to prevent yield losses. Highly efficacious insecticides have been identified and when complemented by weekly scouting and use of thresholds, economic loss by sugarcane aphid can be minimized. Some commercial sorghum hybrids are partially resistant to the aphid, and plant breeders have identified other lines with sugarcane aphid resistance. A very diverse community of predators and parasitoids of sugarcane aphid has been identified, and their value to limit sugarcane aphid population growth is under investigation.
185 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that local studies are important for the aphid fauna of Turkey because of the high importance of local studies in determining species and subspecies of Aphididae family.
Abstract: As a result of a study conducted to determine aphid species on herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees in cultivated and uncultivated areas from 2013 to 2015 in Canakkale Province, Turkey, 39 species and one subspecies in 24 genera of Aphididae family were determined. Of these species, Aphis sedi Kaltenbach, 1843 collected from Lampranthus sp. (Aizoaceae) was new record for the aphid fauna of Turkey. Also, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) and Pimpinella saxifraga L. (Apiaceae) were determined as new host records for Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach, 1843) and Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini, 1860) in Turkey, respectively. The present study and other current studies indicated that local studies are important for the aphid fauna of Turkey.
59 citations
TL;DR: Two host-specialized biotypes (cotton and cucumber) are present in North China, and when alate aphids migrate to summer hosts, they cannot accurately land on the corresponding plant.
Abstract: Background
The cotton-melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a polyphagous species with a worldwide distribution and a variety of biotypes. North China is a traditional agricultural area with abundant winter and summer hosts of A. gossypii. While the life cycles of A. gossypii on different plants have been well studied, those of the biotypes of North China are still unclear.
Results
Host transfer experiments showed that A. gossypii from North China has two host-specialized biotypes: cotton and cucumber. Based on complete mitochondrial sequences, we identified a molecular marker with five single-nucleotide polymorphisms to distinguish the biotypes. Using this marker, a large-scale study of biotypes on primary winter and summer hosts was conducted. All A. gossypii collected from three primary hosts—hibiscus, pomegranate, and Chinese prickly ash—were cotton biotypes, with more cotton-melon aphids found on hibiscus than the other two species. In May, alate cotton and cucumber biotypes coexisted on cotton and cucumber seedlings, but each preferred its natal host. Both biotypes existed on zucchini, although the cucumber biotype was more numerous. Aphids on muskmelon were all cucumber biotypes, whereas most aphids on kidney bean were cotton biotypes. Aphids on seedlings of potato and cowpea belong to other species. In August, aphids on cotton and cucumber were the respective biotypes, with zucchini still hosting both biotypes as before. Thus, the biotypes had different fitnesses on different host plants.
Conclusions
Two host-specialized biotypes (cotton and cucumber) are present in North China. Hibiscus, pomegranate, and Chinese prickly ash can serve as winter hosts for the cotton biotype but not the cucumber biotype in North China. The fitnesses of the two host-specialized biotypes differ on various summer hosts. When alate aphids migrate to summer hosts, they cannot accurately land on the corresponding plant.
38 citations
TL;DR: Bird cherry‐oat aphid transmitted PVY with higher efficiency than previously reported, suggesting that this species is more important to PVY epidemiology than has been considered.
Abstract: Potato virus Y (PVY) strains are transmitted by different aphid species in a non-persistent, non-circulative manner. Green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae Sulzer, is the most efficient vector in laboratory studies, but potato aphid (PA), Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas (both Hemiptera: Aphididae, Macrosiphini), and bird cherry-oat aphid (BCOA), Rhopalosiphum padi L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae, Aphidini), also contribute to PVY transmission. Studies were conducted with GPA, PA, and BCOA to assess PVY transmission efficiency for various isolates of the same strain. Treatments included three PVY strains (PVYO, PVYN:O, PVYNTN) and two isolates of each strain (Oz and NY090031 for PVYO; Alt and NY090004 for PVYN:O; N4 and NY090029 for PVYNTN), using each of three aphid species as well as a sham inoculation. Virus-free tissue-cultured plantlets of potato cv. Russet Burbank were used as virus source and recipient plants. Five weeks post inoculation, recipient plants were tested with quantitative DAS-ELISA to assess infection percentage and virus titer. ELISA-positive recipient plants were assayed with RT-PCR to confirm presence of the expected strains. Transmission efficiency (percentage infection of plants) was highest for GPA, intermediate for BCOA, and lowest for PA. For all aphid species, transmission efficiency did not differ significantly between isolates within each strain. No correlations were found among source plant titer, infection percentage, and recipient plant titer. For both GPA and BCOA, isolates of PVYNTN were transmitted with greatest efficiency followed by isolates of PVYO and PVYN:O, which might help explain the increasing prevalence of necrotic strains in potato-growing regions. Bird cherry-oat aphid transmitted PVY with higher efficiency than previously reported, suggesting that this species is more important to PVY epidemiology than has been considered.
34 citations
TL;DR: Cloned the full‐length cDNA sequence of a chitin synthase gene (TCiCHS) from the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida, an important citrus pest and the main vector of citrus tristeza virus worldwide demonstrates that TCi CHS plays an important role in nymph to adult development, and is possibly help identify molecular targets for To.
Abstract: Chitin synthase (CHS) is a crucial enzyme involved in the final step of the insect chitin biosynthetic pathway. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of a chitin synthase gene (TCiCHS) from the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida, an important citrus pest and the main vector of citrus tristeza virus worldwide. TCiCHS was expressed during the entire lifecycle and in all insect tissues examined. Expression was highest in first-second-instar nymphs, nymph-adult transitions and in the abdomen (6.7-fold higher than head). Embryos had a higher expression level than the integument. Fourth-instar nymphs were exposed to 5 and 500 mg/l concentrations of the chitin synthesis inhibitor diflubenzuron (DFB) for 48 h and had the highest mortality at the 500 mg/l concentration. The mRNA expression levels of TCiCHS were significantly enhanced upon the exposure of nymphs to both low and high DFB concentrations. Silencing of TCiCHS occurred through plant-mediated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) feeding. Most dsRNA-fed nymphs were unable to moult to the next stage, and the expression of TCiCHS decreased 48% compared with controls. These results demonstrate that TCiCHS plays an important role in nymph to adult development, is possibly help identify molecular targets for To. citricida control.
34 citations
11 Oct 2016
TL;DR: Using biologically silver nanoparticles from Solanum lycopersicum in pest control processes will be the most novel eco-friendly approach in the Kashmir Valley, India, in future.
Abstract: The espousal of nanotechnology is a current come-up of the present revolution. As we know that the rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a key pest on rose plant in Kashmir Valley, India, it exhibits a worldwide distribution. In the present study, we have synthesized biologically silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from Solanum lycopersicum and characterized them by UV-vis spectroscopy, TEM, and X-RD analysis. The experiment was performed by leaf dip method. Insecticidal solutions of different Ag NPs concentrations, namely, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm, were tested on M. rosae. For assessment purposes, leaves were treated with distilled water (used as control). Aphid mortality data revealed that the Ag NPs were effective at 500 ppm concentration. As the concentration and day’s treatment increased, the aphid mortality rate also increased. There were statistically significant differences in M. rosae mortality between concentrations by LSD at 5%. In wrapping up, the use of Ag NPs in pest control processes will be the most novel eco-friendly approach in the Kashmir Valley, India, in future.
33 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that KS 116B will be useful for producing sugarcane aphid-resistant hybrids, and that PI 550610 antibiosis changes the sugarcanes aphid–greenbug interspecific relationship from commensalism to amensalists.
Abstract: Host-plant resistance has been a fundamental component of aphid management in cereal crops. Over decades, various sources of resistance to greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), were bred into cultivars of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, to counter recurring virulent greenbug biotypes. The recent invasion of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), raised questions about plant-mediated interactions between the two aphids and the possibility of using greenbug antibiosis against sugarcane aphid. The present work was undertaken to characterize the impact of PI 550610 resistance to 'biotype I' greenbug, expressed in seed parental line KS 116B, on aphid life histories and to observe plant-mediated interactions between aphid species in its presence and absence. At 23°C, sugarcane aphid nymphs matured 1.5 d faster than greenbug nymphs on susceptible hybrid P8500, but at similar rates on the resistant line, which delayed maturity by 1-1.5 d in both species and increased juvenile mortality by three- to fourfold. Sugarcane aphid reproductive rate was double that of greenbug on susceptible sorghum (4.45 vs. 2.30 nymphs per female per day), but not significantly different on the resistant one (3.09 vs. 2.27). Thus, PI 550610 expresses antibiosis, not tolerance, to these aphids. Coinfestation of P8500 had a positive effect on greenbug intrinsic rate of increase (rm), which changed to negative on KS 116B, whereas the rm of sugarcane aphid was unaffected by coinfestation with greenbug on either cultivar. The results indicate that KS 116B will be useful for producing sugarcane aphid-resistant hybrids, and that PI 550610 antibiosis changes the sugarcane aphid-greenbug interspecific relationship from commensalism to amensalism.
29 citations
TL;DR: The aphid reluctance to continue probing and feeding due to the exogenously applied VIPs may be considered as means for the limitation of transmission of semi‐persistent and persistent viruses.
Abstract: Volatile isoprenoids (VIPs) are low-molecular isoprene-derived compounds that are produced and emitted by plants as a protection against and in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. They also participate in direct and indirect plant defense against herbivores. Foliar VIPs may accumulate in mesophyll cells, which makes them detectable for foraging aphids. In this study, probing behavior of the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was monitored using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, following the exogenous application of camphene, α- and β-ionones, and linalool to its host plant Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt (Brassicaceae). None of the VIPs studied affected M. persicae propensity to probe: aphids spent at least 75% of the experimental time penetrating plant tissues. The application of α-ionone and linalool did not alter M. persicae behavior relative to control individuals. In contrast, on camphene- and β-ionone-treated plants, the proportion of non-probing relative to other stylet activities was high, the success rate in reaching sieve elements and feeding was low, and the proportion of salivation in phloem phase was high. The aphid reluctance to continue probing and feeding due to the exogenously applied VIPs may be considered as means for the limitation of transmission of semi-persistent and persistent viruses.
26 citations
TL;DR: Traditional plant resistance studies that determine tolerance, antibiosis, and antixenosis in 32 sorghum genotypes when challenged with sugarcane aphids reveal forms of resistance that have great potential in breeding programs that can be integrated into useable forms of resistant sorghums.
Abstract: The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), has established itself as a perennial pest of grain and forage sorghums in the United States since the summer of 2013. We conducted traditional plant resistance studies that determine tolerance, antibiosis, and antixenosis in 32 sorghum genotypes when challenged with sugarcane aphids. The genotypes included one exotic plant introduction and 31 seed and pollinator parental lines that are used to produce grain, sudangrass, and forage sorghum hybrids. One seed parent (B11055) and one grain pollinator parent (R13219) expressed significant degrees of tolerance, antibiosis, and antixenosis and were top performers in all three resistance type experiments. An additional group of seed parents (B13045 and B1057) and grain pollinator parents (R11159, R13422, and RTx2908) and the plant introduction (PI 550610) resulted in an intermediate range of phenotypic resistance (i.e., 4.0 < 6.0) indicative of antibiosis from reduced fecundity, increased intrinsic rate of increase, and increased generation times. The forms of resistance expressed in these lines, especially B11055 and R13219, have great potential in breeding programs that can be integrated into useable forms of resistant sorghums.
24 citations
TL;DR: Overall, the sown cover was effective in terms of biological control of A. spiraecola in the citrus canopy, and promoted the early presence of predators in citrus canopies but did not promote theEarly presence of parasitoids.
23 citations
TL;DR: The earliest introduction of the parasitoid to the crop led to an efficient host regulation, and the release in three times rather than in one time did not improve the control efficiency at this release delay.
Abstract: The efficiency of the biological control strategies based on parasitoids, either as a release or a conservative measure, depends on the timely arrival or release of the parasitoids after colonization of the field by the pest. In this study, the effects of the delay between the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infestation and the release of its parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and of the number of parasitoid releases on aphid population dynamics and host plant growth were investigated. When the parasitoids were released at the start of the infestation, 89.6 % of the aphids were parasitized one month later, and the damage to cabbage was low. The identical number of parasitoids released two weeks after the start of the infestation partially controlled the aphid population, but the growth of the cabbage was altered. The earliest introduction of the parasitoid to the crop led to an efficient host regulation, and the release in three times rather than in one time did not improve the control efficiency at this release delay. The implications for biological control strategies that use parasitoids of aphids are discussed.
TL;DR: This report investigated the relationship of virus titer with plant defense of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) during the different infection time and their interaction with aphids in CMV-infected tobacco plants and showed that aphid performance was reduced due to the induced plant defense mediated by Cucumber mosaicirus titer.
Abstract: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes appreciable losses in vegetables, ornamentals and agricultural crops. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Aphididae) is one of the most efficient vectors for CMV. The transmission ecology of aphid-vectored CMV has been well investigated. However, the detailed description of the dynamic change in the plant-CMV-aphid interaction associated with plant defense and virus epidemics is not well known. In this report, we investigated the relationship of virus titer with plant defense of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) during the different infection time and their interaction with aphids in CMV-infected tobacco plants. Our results showed that aphid performance changed with virus titer and plant defense on CMV-inoculated plants. At first, plant defense was low and aphid number increased gradually. The plant defense of SA signaling pathway was induced when virus titer was at a high level, and aphid performance was correspondingly reduced. Additionally, the winged aphids were increased. Our results showed that aphid performance was reduced due to the induced plant defense mediated by Cucumber mosaic virus titer. Additionally, some wingless aphids became to winged aphids. In this way CMV could be transmitted with the migration of winged aphids. We should take measures to prevent aphids in the early stage of their occurrence in the field to prevent virus outbreak.
TL;DR: Age-specific functional responses of Aphidius matricariae and P. volucre are suggested as suitable candidates for control of M. persicae in pepper greenhouses.
Abstract: The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is one of the most important aphid pests on pepper. Aphidius matricariae Haliday and Praon volucre (Haliday) are known as biological control agents for aphids in vegetable crops. In this research, age-specific functional responses of these two parasitoids were evaluated on different densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 green peach aphids. Type of functional response varied from type II to type III for different ages of A. matricariae, but type of functional response was not affected by female age for P. volucre. The functional response of P. volucre was determined as type II in the whole parasitoid lifetime. The searching efficiency (a), b, and handling time (T h ) were estimated using the Rogers equations. The highest searching efficiency (a) and lowest handling time were observed during the first half of lifetime of A. matricariae and P. volucre. Aphidius matricariae and P. volucre caused reasonable mortality of the green peach aphid by parasitism of 52.17 and 47.05 host aphids, respectively, in 24 h. Therefore, they are suggested as suitable candidates for control of M. persicae in pepper greenhouses.
TL;DR: Both PCR-RFLPs and DNA barcoding could provide quick and accurate tools for identification of aphid species within Aphididae subsequently aiding in effective pest management programmes and enhance plant quarantine systems.
Abstract: Aphids are among pests of economic importance throughout the world. Together with transmitting plant viruses, aphids are capable of inflicting severe crop production losses. They also excrete honeydew that favours the growth of sooty mold which reduces the quality of vegetables and fruits and hence their market values. Rapid and accurate identification of aphids to the species level is a critical component in effective pest management and plant quarantine systems. Even though morphological taxonomy has made a tremendous impact on species-level identifications, polymorphism, morphological plasticity and immature stages are among the many challenges to accurate identification. In addition, their small size, presence of cryptic species and damaged specimens dictate the need for a strategy that will ensure timely and accurate identification. In this study, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)-based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene and DNA barcoding were applied to identify different aphid species collected from different agro-ecological zones of Kenya. Three restriction enzymes RsaI, AluI and Hinf1 produced patterns that allowed unambiguous identification of the species except Aphis craccivora and Aphis fabae. Analyses of the barcode region indicated intraspecific and interspecific sequence divergences of 0.08 and 6.63%, respectively. DNA barcoding identified all species, including the morphologically indistinguishable A. craccivora and A. fabae and separated two subspecies of A. fabae. Based on these results, both PCR-RFLPs and DNA barcoding could provide quick and accurate tools for identification of aphid species within Aphididae subsequently aiding in effective pest management programmes and enhance plant quarantine systems.
TL;DR: Under the conditions used in the experiments, H. axyridis was able to survive, develop and reproduce normally, demonstrating that are different kind of food that can be essential for supporting the reproduction of some species of Coccinellidae, but not with the same optimization of preferred prey.
Abstract: The biology, reproductive variables and population growth indicators of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on three diets, namely Cinara atlantica (Wilson, 1919) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and frozen eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were evaluated. With all three diets, birth rate was higher than mortality, resulting in positive rm values and thus indicating population growth. Under the conditions used in the experiments, H. axyridis was able to survive, develop and reproduce normally. This demonstrates that are different kind of food that can be essential for supporting the reproduction of some species of Coccinellidae, but not with the same optimization of preferred prey.
TL;DR: A general pattern of spread of CBDV by M. kalimpongensis is suggested where CBDV-infected plants attract or arrest and stimulate emergence and migration of viruliferous aphids that otherwise are sedentary in the underground plant parts of large cardamom.
Abstract: Cardamom bushy dwarf virus (CBDV) causes foorkey disease of large cardamom (Ammomum subulatum Roxburgh) in the eastern sub-Himalayan mountains. Although the aphid Micromyzus kalimpongensis Basu (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is known as a vector of CBDV, its behavior in dissemination of CBDV has not been investigated. In the present study, M. kalimpongensis was observed to colonize in higher number on CBDV-infected large cardamom plants compared with the healthy plants in the several plantations in Sikkim and Darjeeling hills. The affinity of M. kalimpongensis to the diseased large cardamom plants was further confirmed in a contained field experiment with intact plant as well as in a laboratory bioassay with the plant extract, where significantly higher number of aphids settled on the diseased plants or extracts compared with the healthy counterparts. Aphids grown on CBDV-infected large cardamom plants had shortened nymphal period and increased longevity and fecundity compared with those grown on the healthy plants. In the contained field experiment, M. kalimpongensis migrated to the CBDV-infected plants, colonized there, acquired CBDV, and once the diseased plants withered, migrated to healthy plants, which eventually became diseased. Our results suggest a general pattern of spread of CBDV by M. kalimpongensis where CBDV-infected plants attract or arrest and stimulate emergence and migration of viruliferous aphids that otherwise are sedentary in the underground plant parts of large cardamom. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the influence of a plant virus from the family Nanoviridae in altering behavior of its insect vector that favors its dissemination.
TL;DR: Based on accurate knowledge of the aphid and weed species present in papaya orchards obtained in this study, integrated pest management efforts may be more efficiently directed toward eliminating the most frequently infested weed species that serve as hosts for aphid vectors of PRSV-P.
TL;DR: The results emphasize the need to incorporate indirect interactions in studies of insect communities following invasion, not least because they potentially affect more species than direct interactions alone.
Abstract: In aphidophagous insect communities invaded by the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), intraguild predation (IGP) is widely implicated in the displacement of native predators, however, indirect trophic interactions are rarely assessed. Using molecular gut-content analysis, we investigated the relative frequencies of IGP by H. axyridis on the predatory flowerbug Anthocoris nemoralis Fabricius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) and prey overlap for a shared prey, the lime aphid Eucallipterus tiliae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in Tilia × europaea crowns in urban parks. The frequency of IGP by H. axyridis was low: 2.7 % of larvae and 3.4 % of adults tested positive for A. nemoralis DNA. The presence of lime aphid DNA in predators was higher: 56.5 and 47.9 % of H. axyridis larvae and adults, respectively, contained E. tiliae DNA, whereas 60.8 % of adult A. nemoralis tested positive for aphid DNA. Incorporating insect densities revealed that the density of H. axyridis larvae had a strong negative effect on the likelihood of detecting aphid DNA in A. nemoralis. Prey overlap for E. tiliae was widespread in space (2–13 m height in tree crowns) and time (May–October 2011) which suggests that interspecific exploitative competition, mediated by predator life-stage, more so than IGP, is an important indirect trophic interaction between co-occurring H. axyridis and A. nemoralis. Whether exploitative competition equates to displacement of A. nemoralis populations requires further investigation. Our results emphasize the need to incorporate indirect interactions in studies of insect communities following invasion, not least because they potentially affect more species than direct interactions alone.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used transcriptome sequencing technology to determine all the 37 mitochondrial genes of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, in order to obtain the whole set of mitochondrial gene data for insects with difficulty in sequencing mitochondrial genome by PCR-based strategies.
Abstract: The availability of mitochondrial genome data for Aphididae, one of the economically important insect pest families, in public databases is limited. The advent of next generation sequencing technology provides the potential to generate mitochondrial genome data for many species timely and cost-effectively. In this report, we used transcriptome sequencing technology to determine all the 37 mitochondrial genes of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora. This method avoids the necessity of finding suitable primers for long PCRs or primer-walking amplicons, and is proved to be effective in obtaining the whole set of mitochondrial gene data for insects with difficulty in sequencing mitochondrial genome by PCR-based strategies. Phylogenetic analyses of aphid mitochondrial genome data show clustering based on tribe level, and strongly support the monophyly of the family Aphididae. Within the monophyletic Aphidini, three samples from Aphis grouped together. In another major clade of Aphididae, Pterocomma pilosum was recovered as a potential sister-group of Cavariella salicicola, as part of Macrosiphini.
TL;DR: Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses shed light on the potential functions of these miRNAs in the regulation of genes involved in the metabolism, development and wing polyphenism of S. avenae.
Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, particularly during development. In this study, 345 miRNAs were identified from the English green aphid, Sitobion avenae (F.), of which 168 were conserved and 177 were S. avenae-specific. Quantitative comparison of miRNA expression levels indicated that 16 and 12 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in winged and wingless S. avenae small RNA libraries, respectively. Differential expression of these miRNAs was confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR validation. The putative transcript targets for these candidate miRNAs were predicted based on sequences from a model species Drosophila melanogaster and four aphid species Acyrthosiphon pisum, Myzus persicae, Toxoptera citricida, and Aphis gosspii. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses shed light on the potential functions of these miRNAs in the regulation of genes involved in the metabolism, development and wing polyphenism of S. avenae.
TL;DR: The feeding behavior of aphids suggested that Rag2 resistance has strong antixenosis effects, in addition to previously reported antibiosis, and was associated with epidermal and mesophyll tissues.
Abstract: Host plant resistance to the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is an effective means of controlling populations of this introduced pest species in the United States. Rag (Resistance to Aphis glycines) genes identified in soybean germplasm have been incorporated into commercial cultivars, but differential responses by soybean aphid biotypes to the Rag genes have made understanding mechanisms underlying resistance associated with Rag genes increasingly important. We compared the behavior of biotype 2 aphids on the resistant soybean line PI243540, which is a source of Rag2, and the susceptible cultivar Wyandot. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the abaxial surface of leaves from resistant plants had a higher density of both long and glandulartrichomes, which might repel aphids, on veins. Time-lapse animation also suggested a repellent effect of resistant plants on aphids. However, electropenatography (EPG) indicated that the time to first probe did not differ between aphids feeding on the resistant and susceptible lines. EPG also indicated that fewer aphids feeding on resistant plants reached the phloem, and the time before reaching the phloem was much longer relative to susceptible soybean. For aphids that reached the phloem, there was no difference in either number of feedings or their duration in phloem. However, aphids feeding on resistant soybean had fewer prolonged phases of active salivation (E1) and many more pathway activities and non-probing intervals. Together, the feeding behavior of aphids suggested that Rag2 resistance has strong antixenosis effects, in addition to previously reported antibiosis, and was associated with epidermal and mesophyll tissues.
TL;DR: Three additional sources of resistance to soybean aphid may provide soybean breeders more options for incorporating resistance into early-maturing soybean varieties and allow different types of host plant resistance to be pyramided into varieties for growers.
Abstract: Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a non-native and damaging pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the north central United States. We screened 78 soybean lines (maturity groups 000 to I) for resistance to soybean aphid and categorized resistance (i.e., antibiosis or antixenosis) in lines that showed putative resistance. Selected lines were also included in field trials at Rosemount and St. Paul, MN, in 2014. We detected antibiosis in PI 639534A, PI 639537, and PI 605765B and antixenosis in PI 507713. PI 605765B and PI 639537 performed better than susceptible varieties in both field trials with natural infestations of soybean aphid. We also documented antixenosis within IA3027, a line previously assumed to be susceptible to soybean aphid, which underscores the importance of including multiple susceptible and resistant controls for comparison in resistance screening studies. These additional sources of resistance may provide soybean breeders more options for incorporating resistance into early-maturing soybean varieties and allow different types of host plant resistance to be pyramided into varieties for growers.
TL;DR: Successful feeding, development and reproductive performance of A. bipunctata suggest its usefulness as biological control agent of D. citri as well as aphid species exemplified by R. maidis.
Abstract: The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is an economically important pest of citrus because it serves as a vector of the causal pathogens of huanglongbing (HLB) also known as citrus greening disease. The increased use of insecticides for control of D. citri negatively impacts several natural enemies including some effective ladybeetle species which are not available commercially. The two-spotted ladybeetle, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is found in some crop and forest ecosystems of Asia, Europe and North America and available commercially. It is known to attack aphids and mealybugs but there are no published records of feeding on psyllids. We evaluated suitability and preference of A. bipunctata for nymphs of D. citri compared to corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) a global pest of cereal crops and prey for many predaceous insects. We also compared development and reproduction of A. bipunctata on these two species with frozen eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at 25°C. Initially, more D. citri than R. maidis nymphs were consumed in the no-choice tests although final consumption by larva and adult of A. bipunctata did not differ in the choice and no-choice tests. Larval development was prolonged by one day on D. citri compared to R. maidis nymphs but did not differ between either of these diets and E. kuehniella. Larval survival to adult averaged 93–100% and was not impacted by diet. Adult life span did not differ between diets although those on D. citri and R. maidis nymphs weighed less and produced fewer but more fertile eggs than on E. kuehniella eggs. Significant reduction of D. citri nymphs averaging 54% was observed in colonies caged with adult A. bipunctata on field planted citrus. R° (net reproductive rate) was least for beetles fed R. maidis, but otherwise there were no significant differences in demographic parameters. Successful feeding, development and reproductive performance of A. bipunctata suggest its usefulness as biological control agent of D. citri as well as aphid species exemplified by R. maidis.
TL;DR: Results support the hypothesis that differences in A. lentisci populations due to endophyte infection status and strain affects plant growth and confirm the hypotheses that growth of L. perenne is associated with the effect of different endophytes strains on aphid populations.
Abstract: Aploneura lentisci Pass. is endemic to the Mediterranean region where it is holocyclic, forming galls on its primary host, Pistacia lentiscus and alternating over a 2 year period between Pistacia and secondary hosts, principally species of Graminae. This aphid is widely distributed in Australia and New Zealand on the roots of the common forage grasses, ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix) where it exists as permanent, anholocyclic, parthenogenetic populations. Previous studies have indicated that infestations of A. lentisci significantly reduce plant growth and may account for differences in field performance of Lolium perenne infected with different strains of the fungal endophyte Epichloe festucae var lolii. These obligate biotrophs protect their host grasses from herbivory via the production of alkaloids. To confirm the hypothesis that growth of L. perenne is associated with the effect of different endophyte strains on aphid populations, herbage and root growth were measured over time in two pot trials that compared three fungal endophyte strains with an endophyte-free control. In both pot trials, aphid numbers were lowest on plants infected with endophyte strain AR37 at all sampling times. In plants infected with a common toxic strain naturalized in New Zealand, aphid numbers overall were lower than on uninfected plants or those infected with strain AR1, but numbers did not always differ significantly from these treatments. Populations on AR1-infected plants were occasionally significantly higher than those on endophyte-free. Cumulative foliar growth was reduced in AR1 and Nil treatments relative to AR37 in association with population differences of A. lentisci in both trials and root dry weight was reduced in one trial. In four Petri dish experiments survival of A. lentisci on plants infected with AR37 declined to low levels after an initial phase of up to 19 days during which time aphids fed and populations were similar to those on plants without endophyte. Aphids on AR37-infected plants became uncoordinated in their movement and developed tremors before dying suggesting a neurotoxin was responsible for their mortality. Results support the hypothesis that differences in A. lentisci populations due to to endophyte infection status and strain affects plant growth.
TL;DR: Investigation of potential sublethal effects of beta-cypermethrin and indoxacarb on an experimental population of R. padi showed that sublethal concentrations of the 2 insecticides can significantly reduce the fecundity and longevity of the F0 generation and prolonged the development of nymphs in the subsequent generation.
Abstract: Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a devastating pest of wheat worldwide. Beta-cypermethrin is widely used to control piercingsucking pest insects, including R. padi. Field-applied insecticides gradually descend to sublethal concentrations with the passage of time. Sublethal concentrations of insecticide may affect physiology and behavior of pests, potentially leading to pest resurgence. This study investigated potential sublethal effects of beta-cypermethrin and indoxacarb on an experimental population of R. padi. Indoxacarb is a relatively new pesticide with a mechanism of action that is different from that of beta-cypermethrin. The leaf dip method was used to test the acute toxicity of these insecticides to adult aphids, and life tables were constructed to analyze the effects of 2 sublethal concentrations of beta-cypermethrin (B-LC10, B-LC30) and indoxacarb (I-LC10, I-LC30) on the development and reproduction of the F0 and F1 generations of R. padi. Results of these analyses sho...
TL;DR: The surveys suggest that the Russian wheat aphid bioype complex was more diverse in the Eastern Free State than in the other wheat production areas, and there was also a shift in Russian wheat Aphid biotype composition over time.
Abstract: Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) has spread from its native area in central Asia to all the major wheat-producing countries in the world to become an international wheat pest. Because the Russian wheat aphid is a serious threat to the wheat industry in South Africa, it is important to investigate the key factors involved in the distribution of Russian wheat aphid biotypes and in the changes of the Russian wheat aphid biotype complex in South Africa. There are currently four known Russian wheat aphid biotypes occurring in South Africa. Russian wheat aphid samples were collected from 2011 to 2014 during the wheat-growing season in spring and summer and these samples were screened to determine the biotype status. RWASA1 occurred predominantly in the Western Cape, while RWASA2 and RWASA3 occurred predominantly in the Eastern Free State. Following the first record of RWASA4 in 2011, this biotype was restricted to the Eastern Free State. The surveys suggest that the Russian wheat aphid bioype complex was more diverse in the Eastern Free State than in the other wheat production areas. There was also a shift in Russian wheat aphid biotype composition over time. The Russian wheat aphid biotype complex is dynamic, influenced by environmental factors such as host plants, altitude, and climate, and it can change and diversify over time causing fluctuation in populations over sites and years. This dynamic nature of the Russian wheat aphid will continue to challenge the development of Russian wheat aphid-resistant wheat cultivars in South Africa, and the continued monitoring of the biotypic and genetic structure, to determine genetic relatedness and variation in different biotypes, of Russian wheat aphid populations is important for protecting wheat.
TL;DR: This data indicates that early‐season herbivory may have community‐wide effects on successive insect colonisation of host plants and the identity of the initially inducing insect may determine the direction and strength of the effects on the dynamics and composition of the associated insect community.
Abstract: Changes in the arthropod community structure can be attributed to differences in constitutively expressed plant traits or those that change depending on environmental conditions such as herbivory. Early-season herbivory may have community-wide effects on successive insect colonisation of host plants and the identity of the initially inducing insect may determine the direction and strength of the effects on the dynamics and composition of the associated insect community. 2. Previous studies have addressed the effect of early infestation with a chewing herbivore. In the present study, the effect of early infestation was investigated with a phloem-feeding aphid [Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera, Aphididae)] on the insect community associated with three wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) populations, which are known to differ in defence chemistry, throughout the season in field experiments. 3. Aphid infestation had asymmetric effects on the associated insect community and only influenced the abundance of the natural enemies of aphids, but not that of chewing herbivores and their natural enemies. The effect size of aphid infestation further depended on the cabbage population. 4. Aphid feeding has been previously reported to promote host-plant quality for chewing herbivores, which has been attributed to antagonism between the two major defence signalling pathways controlled by the hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), respectively. Our results show no effects of early infestation by aphids on chewing herbivores, suggesting the absence of long-term JA–SA antagonism. 5. Investigating the effects of the identity of an early-season coloniser and genotypic variation among plant populations on insect community dynamics are important in understanding insect–plant community ecology.
TL;DR: The fact that neither aphid density nor feeding period impacted dropping may reflect the high energetic costs of this activity and an unwillingness to use it in any but the riskiest situations.
Abstract: The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a phloem-feeding insect whose antipredator defenses include kicking, walking away, and dropping from the plant. Aphid dropping, a risky and energetically costly antipredator behavior, can be increased by the release of aphid alarm pheromone; there is also evidence that insect density and plant health can affect the likelihood of aphids engaging in this behavior. We investigated whether interactions between alarm cues, insect density, and plant health can alter the dropping behavior of aphids in response to an artificial disturbance. The presence of the alarm pheromone E-β-farnesene resulted in a nearly 15-fold increase in aphid dropping behavior; the other two factors, however, did not affect dropping and none of the two- or three-way interactions were significant. This was surprising because aphids affected plant health: production of new plant biomass after 5 d of exposure to high aphid densities was 50% lower than in the control treatment. This research adds to our understanding of the factors affecting aphid antipredator behavior; the fact that neither aphid density nor feeding period impacted dropping may reflect the high energetic costs of this activity and an unwillingness to use it in any but the riskiest situations.
TL;DR: Screening of odorous CP species for their effect on the performance of green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) when released on adjacent pepper plants indicated that rosemary and French marigold emit specific volatiles.
Abstract: Intercropping of companion plants (CPs) that release distinct volatile compounds with horticultural crops has been proposed to improve pest management. Although CP extracts or essential oils have been reported to be efficient in disturbing the settling of insects such as aphids, the effect of using actual CPs remains relatively unknown. Our aim was to screen odorous CP species for their effect on the performance of green peach aphid,Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), when released on adjacent pepper plants. Intercropping was tested in growth chambers using potted plants to avoid root interactions and homogenise the abiotic environment of CPs. Our results indicated that eight CP species—rosemary, African marigold, French marigold, geranium, lavender, basil, chives, and pot marigold—affected aphid performance by reducing the reproductive performance and/or settlement of females. Rosemary followed by African and French marigold was associated with the largest reduction in adult female and nymph number. Chemical analyses indicated that rosemary and French marigold emit specific volatiles. In contrast, four CP species (false yellowhead, thyme, savoury, and peppermint) were not associated with a significant change in aphid performance and emitted a lower diversity of volatiles. This screening of CPs under controlled conditions may be considered as a first step towards the identification of volatiles emitted by actual plants that can affect aphid performance and help the choice of CPs to optimise intercropping strategies.
TL;DR: The results indicated that a brief heat stress on A. asychis adults caused severe effects on major life history traits and total numbers of hosts killed by host feeding and parasitism, suggesting that high temperatures should be avoided to ensure the success of biological control of M. persicae and other aphid species using this parasitoid species.
Abstract: Aphelinus asychis Walker (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a polyphagous parasitoid, has been widely used as a biological control agent against Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and other aphid species . In order to ensure the successful biological control of M. persicae , we evaluated the influence of brief heat stresses (32.5, 35.0, 37.5, 40.0, and 41.5°C for 1 h), which occur frequently during the summer or under greenhouse conditions, on survival, longevity, host feeding, and parasitism of A. asychis that were reared on chili pepper at 25°C in the laboratory. Our results showed several major consequences on the parasitoid adults after brief heat stress. First, the survival of briefly heat stress-treated A. asychis female and male adults decreased significantly at ≥37.5°C and their longevity decreased as well. Second, the number of M. persicae nymphs infesting chili pepper killed through host feeding by the treated A. asychis females decreased significantly. Third, the cumulative number of mummified aphids and female progeny produced by the treated A. asychis also decreased significantly at ≥37.5°C. Our results indicated that a brief heat stress on A. asychis adults caused severe effects on major life history traits and total numbers of hosts killed by host feeding and parasitism, suggesting that high temperatures should be avoided to ensure the success of biological control of M. persicae and other aphid species using this parasitoid species.