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Plant cues for aphid navigation in vascular tissues
Angela Hewer1, Torsten Will, Aart J E van Bel
1Plant Cell Biology Research Group, Institute of General Botany, Justus-Liebig-University, Senckenbergstraße 17-21, D-35390 Gießen, Germany.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|November 16, 2010
Summary
Aphids locate plant sieve tubes by sensing specific chemical cues. Sucrose and a neutral to alkaline pH are key attractants, guiding aphid feeding behavior.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Plant-Insect Interactions
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Aphids possess sophisticated mechanisms for locating host plant sieve tubes.
- Sieve tube sap composition, including pH and carbohydrate content, may provide crucial orientation cues.
- Understanding these cues is vital for pest management and plant science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of specific plant-borne parameters in aphid sieve tube detection.
- To determine aphid preferences for carbohydrate type, concentration, and pH levels.
- To elucidate the sensory basis of aphid host plant selection.
Main Methods:
- Choice-chamber experiments were conducted with various aphid species (Megoura viciae, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Macrosiphum rosae, Aphis pomi).
- Aphid preferences for different sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, raffinose, sorbitol) at varying concentrations and pH levels (5-8) were assessed.
- Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) recordings were used to monitor feeding behavior and sieve tube recognition in Myzus persicae.
Main Results:
- Aphids exhibited a strong preference for sucrose at concentrations of 15-22.5% and a pH around 7.
- This preference aligns with the typical composition of sieve tube sap in their host plants.
- Myzus persicae confirmed that sieve tube recognition relies on carbohydrate availability and neutral to alkaline pH.
Conclusions:
- Aphids utilize a combination of sucrose concentration and pH as primary cues for sieve tube detection.
- These findings provide insights into aphid feeding behavior and host plant selection strategies.
- The study highlights the importance of specific nutritional and chemical parameters in plant-aphid interactions.
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