Behavioral sensitivity of Myzus persicae to volatile isoprenoids in plant tissues

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, aand b-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 a-ionone and linalool did not alter M. persicae behavior relative to control individuals. In contrast, on camphene-and b-iononetreated 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.

Reduction of Plant Suitability for Corn Leaf Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Under Elevated Carbon Dioxide Condition

“…In contrast with eCO 2 barley seedlings, aphid feeding on aCO 2 barley seedlings had a higher frequency of probes, which suggested the absence of negative factors in epidermis that might have caused the withdrawal of stylets (Dancewicz et al 2016). Long np phase observed of aphid on aCO 2 barley seedlings would have indicated the presence of barriers during stylets insertion in plant tissues (Alvarez et al 2006), and vice versa, aphid feeding on eCO 2 barley seedlings may have more obstacles on the surface of epidermis and less barriers during stylets insertion in plant tissues.…”

Novel Hydroxy- and Epoxy-cis-Jasmone and Dihydrojasmone Derivatives Affect the Foraging Activity of the Peach Potato Aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

“…Probing by M. persicae in tissues of plants treated with jasmonates was monitored using the technique of electronic registration of aphid behavior known as an EPG (electrical penetration graph) that is frequently employed in insect–plant relationship studies [ 42 , 43 ]. By using the EPG technique, it is possible to monitor aphid probing and feeding behavior within plant tissues, localize natural plant resistance factors, and reveal the effect of exogenously applied compounds that may influence plant–aphid interactions [ 28 , 36 , 44 , 45 ]. Aphid decisions whether to leave or remain on the plant and continue probing and feeding are based mainly on chemical information within plant tissues that is detected with contact chemoreceptors in the gustatory organ in the pharynx [ 46 ].…”

“…Aphid decisions whether to leave or remain on the plant and continue probing and feeding are based mainly on chemical information within plant tissues that is detected with contact chemoreceptors in the gustatory organ in the pharynx [ 46 ]. At the same time, the alteration of aphid behavior during probing following the exogenous application of xenobiotics demonstrates indirectly the transcuticular and within-plant transfer of these xenobiotics [ 44 ]. The EPG technique allows a separate analysis of aphid behavior at pre-ingestive (within non-phloem tissues before the first phloem phase) and ingestive (within the phloem) phases of probing [ 46 ].…”

Effect of Naringenin and Its Derivatives on the Probing Behavior of Myzus persicae (Sulz.)

“…Allelochemicals are the main cues used by aphids for host plant selection during either the pathway or phloem phase [ 16 ]. The long duration of probing time in non-phloem tissues as compared to total penetration time, the relatively long time to the 1st phloem phase within a probe, and a failure in finding sieve elements may be interpreted as pre-ingestive effects of antifeedants that restrain aphid probing at the level of non-phloem tissues [ 27 ]. In contrast, the reduction in the number of probes and the elongation of these probes indicates the attractant character of chemical factors.…”