Facultative endosymbionts modulate the aphid reproductive performance on wheat cultivars differing in contents of benzoxazinoids

Abstract

BACKGROUNDFacultative bacterial endosymbionts have the potential to influence the interactions between aphids, their natural enemies, and host plants. Among the facultative symbionts found in populations of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae in Central Chile, the bacterium Regiella insecticola is the most prevalent. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether infected and cured aphid lineages exhibit differential responses to wheat cultivars containing varying levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA (2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one), which is a xenobiotic compound produced by plants. Specifically, we examined the reproductive performance responses of the most frequently encountered genotypes of S. avenae when reared on wheat seedlings expressing low, medium, and high concentrations of DIMBOA.RESULTSOur findings reveal that the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) in cured lineages of S. avenae genotypes exhibits a biphasic pattern, characterized by the lowest rm and an extended time to first reproduction on wheat seedlings with medium levels of DIMBOA. In contrast, the aphid genotypes harbouring R. insecticola display idiosyncratic responses, with the two most prevalent genotypes demonstrating improved performance on seedlings featuring an intermediate content of DIMBOA compared to their cured counterparts.CONCLUSIONThis study represents the first investigation into the mediating impact of facultative endosymbionts on aphid performance in plants exhibiting varying DIMBOA contents. These findings present exciting prospects for identifying novel targets for aphid control by manipulating the presence of aphid symbionts.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.