Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Host Plant Specificity in Aphids

Abstract

Aphids are serious pests of agricultural and ornamental plants and important model systems for hemipteran–plant interactions. The long evolutionary history of aphids with their host plants has resulted in a variety of systems that provide insight into the different adaptation strategies of aphids to plants and vice versa. In the past, various plant–aphid interactions have been documented, but lack of functional tools has limited molecular studies on the mechanisms of plant–aphid interactions. Recent technological advances have begun to reveal plant–aphid interactions at the molecular level and to increase our knowledge of the mechanisms of aphid adaptation or specialization to different host plants. In this article, we compile and analyze available information on plant–aphid interactions, discuss the limitations of current knowledge, and argue for new research directions. We advocate for more work that takes advantage of natural systems and recently established molecular techniques to obtain a comprehensive view of plant–aphid interaction mechanisms. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 68 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

The N‐terminal subunit of vitellogenin in planthopper eggs and saliva acts as a reliable elicitor that induces defenses in rice

“…S7) between NlVgC and LsVgC explains the difference in their functions. Indeed, changes in amino acid sequence can affect the activity of effectors in insects and pathogens (Rao et al ., 2019; Yuan et al ., 2021; Shih et al ., 2023). It should also be noted that silencing Vg (decreasing levels of both VgC and VgN) significantly decreased the induction of JA‐Ile production by SBPH and WBPH ovary extracts when applied to mechanically wounded plants (Fig.…”

A Review of the Host Plant Location and Recognition Mechanisms of Asian Longhorn Beetle

“…Phytophagous insects locate and recognize host plants via multiple cues, such as odor (olfactory cues), color, size and shape (visual cues), and even auditory and gustatory signs [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. Many previous studies focused on olfactory cues in adult ALBs, and large quantities of volatile organic compounds have been identified from host and nonhost plants ( Table 1 ).…”

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

“…6,7 Additionally, some aphids harbour facultative (secondary) endosymbionts, which are generally not essential for aphid survival and reproduction but can confer several ecological features in response to the biotic and abiotic environment. 8,9 For instance, some facultative endosymbionts can provide protection against fungal pathogens and predators, [10][11][12] thermal tolerance, 13 host specialization, [14][15][16] and changes in the feeding behaviour. 17,18 The maintenance of the association with facultative endosymbionts may depend on multiple factors such as temperature, 19,20 the aphid genotype 21 and host plant traits.…”

“…All aphids species harbour the obligatory (primary) endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola , which is essential for aphid survival by providing essential amino acids and vitamins that aphids cannot obtain from the phloem 6,7 . Additionally, some aphids harbour facultative (secondary) endosymbionts, which are generally not essential for aphid survival and reproduction but can confer several ecological features in response to the biotic and abiotic environment 8,9 . For instance, some facultative endosymbionts can provide protection against fungal pathogens and predators, 10–12 thermal tolerance, 13 host specialization, 14–16 and changes in the feeding behaviour 17,18 …”