Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Electrostatic Radiation on the Mean Relative Growth Rate and Feeding Behavior of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

Abstract Previous research has indicated that electrostatic radiation may induce biological and physiologic changes in plants and aphids. This study was conducted to determine effects of long-term exposure of electrostatic radiation on biology and feeding behavior of Sitobion avenae (F.). To imitate the natural electrostatic radiation stress, both wheat seeds and S. avenae nymphs (produced within 12 h) were exposed to an electrostatic radiation of 4 kV/cm for 20 min and 5 kV/cm intensity for 40 min, respectively. Controls received no treatment (0 kV/cm). Then, the mean relative growth rate (MRGR) and feeding behavior of the 5th-, 10th-, 15th-, 20th-, 27th-, 33rd-, and 39th-generation aphids were examined, respectively. Data showed that electrostatic radiation exposure within a certain period of time can promote weight increases of S. avenae, but long-term exposure of electrostatic radiation had an adverse effect on the weight gain of aphids. The comparison of the two treatment intensities showed that electrostatic radiation at the intensity of 4 kV/cm for 20 min had a significant influence on the probing behavior of S. avenae. This study initially evaluated the effect of electrostatic radiation on S. avenae from the aspect of nutrient feeding behavior, which further verifies the biological characteristics of electrostatic radiation.