Microsatellite marker analysis of peach–potato aphids (<I>Myzus persicae</I>, Homoptera: Aphididae) from Scottish suction traps

Abstract

The peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is an important vector of plant viruses. A network of suction traps collects aerial samples of this aphid in order to monitor and help predict its spatial distribution and likely impact on virus transmission in crops. A suction trap catch is thought to be a good representation of the total aphid pool. Sensitive molecular markers have been developed that determine the genetic composition of the M. persicae population. In Scotland, UK, these were applied to field collections revealing a limited number of clones. Molecular markers are less successful when applied to specimens that have been preserved in an ethanol-based trap fluid designed to preserve morphology. An assessment of different DNA extraction and PCR techniques is presented and the most efficient are used to analyse M. persicae specimens caught in the Dundee suction trap in 2001, a year when exceptionally high numbers were caught. The results reveal that the majority of the M. persicae caught belonged to two highly insecticide resistant clones. In addition, it was possible to compare the relative frequencies of genotypes caught in the trap with those collected at insecticide treated and untreated field sites in the vicinity. These results indicate that, in addition to suction trap data, the ability to sample field sites provides valuable early warning data which have implications for pest control and virus management strategies.

Forecasting migration of cereal aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in autumn and spring

“…This is in broad agreement with reports from the literature (Haine 1955; Robert 1987; Kennedy 1990; Bottenberg and Irwin 1991; Nottingham et al. 1991; Malloch et al. 2006).…”

Increasing Minimum Daily Temperatures Are Associated with Enhanced Pesticide Use in Cultivated Soybean along a Latitudinal Gradient in the Mid-Western United States

“…The second order functions for soybean are consistent with insect and fungal biology; i.e., once temperature has reached a critical thermal threshold, it is a significant driver of shifts in insect and pathogen demography [13], [23]. For example, in the UK increasing winter temperatures above a biological minimum have been associated with increased northward migration of aphids in Scotland and increased genotype variation among aphid populations [24]. Similar correlations have also been observed between minimum winter temperatures and the southern pine beetle [25].…”

Clonal turnover of MACE-carrying peach-potato aphids (Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Homoptera: Aphididae) colonizing Scotland

“…The analysis of the 2001 data is a particularly useful baseline, as it provided no evidence of genotypes H, M and N amongst many independent field samples where pirimicarb and triazamate selection for clones A and B had occurred as well as other fields (Fenton et al, 2005) and suction traps (Malloch et al, 2006). Therefore, we can be confident that H, M and N appear to have arrived in Scotland after 2001.…”