Metabolite-based resistance in wheat varieties to aphid virus vectors: progress and future opportunities

Cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi, cause severe yield loss in wheat crops as a consequence of direct feeding damage and acting as vectors for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). Insecticides have commonly been used to control these pests, but the advent of insecticide resistance spreading across aphid populations and the push to reduce insecticide use means that new approaches to control aphid populations are required. Wheat varieties with metabolite-based aphid resistance have been identified, suggesting that they could be developed as an alternative to insecticides. Resistance induced by natural products (metabolites) include volatile organic compound-mediated (antixenotic) and development-modifying (antibiotic) processes. Full characterisation of these resistance mechanisms is still required, and associated challenges, such as the influence of biotic and abiotic interactions, need to be addressed prior to their implementation into integrated pest management (IPM) or engineered into modern elite wheats. In this review, current literature on metabolite-based S. avenae and R. padi resistance in wheat is discussed, outlining current knowledge gaps and challenges, and highlighting the future work required. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.