Host Selection Behavior of the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae, in Response to Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Contents of Cabbage Cultivars

Abstract

Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in response to herbivore attack. VOCs emitted from the Chinese cabbage cultivars in response to the damage by the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, were unknown. Using a solid-phase microextraction-based headspace collection method, we investigated and compared the emissions of VOCs from seven Chinese cabbage cultivars (Qibao, Qingan 80, Lvlong, Yuanbao, Qingan 70, Jinlv, and Lvqiu 66) in response to M. persicae attack. Our results showed that the VOCs emitted from the cultivars Qingan 80 and Yuanbao differed significantly from the other cultivars in response to the attraction of wingless M. persicae. Most importantly, out of the 27 detected compounds, α-caryophyllene was detected only in Qingan 80 and Qibao, but not in the other five cultivars. Among the compounds detected, 2 monoterpene and 12 terpenes were predominant in all cabbage cultivars. Furthermore, the wingless M. persicae showed preference to Qingan 80 while it had the highest nitrogen content among the tested cultivars. Moreover, we found a remarkable relationship among M. persicae attraction, plant nitrogen content, and total volatile emissions. Nitrogen content of the plants has a significant impact on volatile emission and preference behavior of M. persicae. Our results indicate that the wingless M. persicae were efficient in their interspecific host selection with an ability to distinguish plant cultivar differences by leaf nitrogen content. This study will be helpful in understanding aphid host selection, and sets a stage to further study the attractant-based integrated aphid management programs.

Evaluation of the Susceptibility of Some Eggplant Cultivars to Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

“…'White-Casper' and had less host preference over 'Long-Green' and 'Ravaya' CVS after 24 and 48 h. The host preference of M. persicae, like other insect pests, varies according to different plant species [38]. The antixenosis resistance of eight potato [38] and seven cabbage CVS [39] were reported to M. persicae. Ahmed et al [39] declared that chemical and olfactory compounds of CVS caused the attraction of aphids to the preferred hosts.…”

“…The antixenosis resistance of eight potato [38] and seven cabbage CVS [39] were reported to M. persicae. Ahmed et al [39] declared that chemical and olfactory compounds of CVS caused the attraction of aphids to the preferred hosts. Therefore, differences in host preference of insect pests for the plant species CVS could be due to variations in their chemical and morphological parameters.…”

Response of Aphid Parasitoids to Volatile Organic Compounds from Undamaged and Infested Brassica oleracea with Myzus persicae

“…Based on VOCs from cabbage, M. persicae was attracted to seven different cabbage varieties in diverse ways. Additionally, the wingless M. persicae was considerably attracted to Qingan 80 cabbage cultivar in Y-tube olfactorometer bioassays as compared to Yuanbao cabbage cultivar [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Comparative conventional preventive strategies for insect pest of okra

“…Various methods used to control the different insect pest population. These methods include, chemical insecticides, biological control, synthetic insecticides, resistance varieties and semiochemicals which affect the growth of insect, development and population ( Ahmed et al, 2013 , Ahmed et al, 2016 , Fu et al, 2017 , Ahmed et al, 2018 , Ahmed et al, 2019 ). However, some studies also indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi alone or/and plant extracts are effective to control the populations of insect pests ( Saif-Ur-Rehman et al, 2019a , Saif-Ur-Rehman et al, 2019b , Mastoi et al, 2020 , Sayed et al, 2021a , Sayed et al, 2021b ).…”