Abstract
The pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris), a legume specialist, encompasses at least 11 genetically distinct sympatric host races. Each host race shows a preference for a certain legume species. Six pea aphid clones from three host races were used to localize plant factors influencing aphid probing and feeding behavior on four legume species. Aphid performance was tested by measuring survival and growth. The location of plant factors influencing aphid probing and feeding was determined using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. Every aphid clone performed best on the plant species from which it was originally collected, as well as on Vicia faba. On other plant species, clones showed intermediate or poor performance. The most important plant factors influencing aphid probing and feeding behavior were localized in the epidermis and sieve elements. Repetitive puncturing of sieve elements might be relevant for establishing phloem feeding, since feeding periods appear nearly exclusively after these repetitive sieve element punctures. A combination of plant factors influences the behavior of pea aphid host races on different legume species and likely contributes to the maintenance of these races.
Highlights
The pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum HARRIS) is confined to plants of the family Fabaceae
Our study focuses on the detection and localization of plant factors influencing probing and feeding behavior of various pea aphid host races on different legume species
When the performance of the various aphid clones was compared on the four legume species, most of the aphids survived on their native host plants
Summary
The pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum HARRIS) is confined to plants of the family Fabaceae. Pea aphid populations occur sympatrically on legume crop plants [2] as well as on legume species in natural habitats [3]. Pea aphid populations are often very specialized, performing best on the particular legume species on which they are found (called native host plant), but showing significantly reduced performance, or not surviving at all on other legumes [4,5]. All pea aphid populations tested so far perform as well on Vicia faba as on their native host plant. By investigating more than 1000 wingless pea aphids from 19 legume species in western Europe, Peccoud et al [3] identified 11 genetically distinct and sympatrically occurring pea aphid races associated with different legume host plants. Analysis of migration and hybridization among these races led to delineation of three possible species and eight host races
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