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Physical and chemical interactions between aphids and plants
Torsten Will1, Aart J E van Bel
1Plant Cell Biology Research Group, Institute of General Botany, Justus-Liebig-University, Senckenbergstrasse 17, D-35390 Giessen, Germany.
Journal of Experimental Botany
|February 14, 2006
Summary
Aphids use specialized saliva to prevent plant sieve tubes from sealing when they feed. This allows aphids to access nutrient-rich sap by limiting calcium influx and maintaining sieve element turgor pressure.
Area of Science:
- Plant-insect interactions
- Plant physiology
- Entomology
Background:
- Aphids feed on plant phloem sap from sieve tubes.
- Sieve tubes have defense mechanisms, including calcium-mediated sealing (protein plugging and callose formation), triggered by wounding.
- Aphid stylets must navigate these defenses to access nutrients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms aphids use to counteract plant defenses during feeding.
- To understand how aphids manage calcium influx and sieve tube integrity.
- To elucidate the role of aphid saliva in successful phloem feeding.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aphid feeding behavior and stylet insertion.
- Biochemical analysis of aphid saliva components (sheath and watery saliva).
- Investigation of calcium dynamics within plant sieve tubes during aphid feeding.
Main Results:
- Aphid stylet volume is minimized to reduce physical disturbance and turgor loss.
- Sheath saliva likely seals the puncture site, limiting apoplastic calcium influx.
- Watery saliva may interact with sieve sap to prevent plugging and sealing.
Conclusions:
- Aphids employ sophisticated physical and chemical strategies via their saliva to overcome plant sieve tube defenses.
- These adaptations ensure continuous feeding by preventing premature sealing of sieve tubes.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing aphid control strategies.