Electronically monitored feeding behaviour of the lettuce root aphid (Pemphigus bursarius) on resistant and susceptible lettuce varieties

Abstract

AbstractFeeding behaviour of the lettuce root aphid Pemphigus bursarius was monitored electronically on six lettuce varieties. Aphids, monitored for a minimum of 5 h on lettuce roots, performed recognizable feeding behaviour on the susceptible varieties, Webbs Wonderful and Borough Wonder including non probing, pattern A start of new penetration, C (stylet pathway activities) sometimes including clear B‐waves (salivary sheath secretions), potential drops (intracellular penetrations), intracellular E (phloem ingestion) distinguishing E1 and E2 (Tjallingii, 1990) and occasionally xylem ingestion. Although aphid probing was recorded on the resistant varieties Lakeland and Grand Rapids continued penetration to the phloem elements was deterred and the time spent ingesting phloem was short. Aphids rarely probed the resistant varieties Avoncrisp and Avondefiance and all attempted penetrations quickly terminated.