Aphid Susceptibility Research Articles

Overexpression of Two Odorant Binding Proteins Confers Chlorpyrifos Resistance in the Green Peach Aphid Myzus persicae.

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, is a worldwide agricultural pest. Chlorpyrifos has been widely used to control M. persicae for decades, thus leading to a high resistance to chlorpyrifos. Recent studies have found that insect odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play essential roles in insecticide resistance. However, the potential resistance mechanism underlying the cross-link between aphid OBPs and chlorpyrifos remains unclear. In this study, two OBPs (MperOBP3 and MperOBP7) were found overexpressed in M. persicae chlorpyrifos-resistant strains (CRR) compared to chlorpyrifos-sensitive strains (CSS); furthermore, chlorpyrifos can significantly induce the expression of both OBPs. An in vitro binding assay indicated that both OBPs strongly bind with chlorpyrifos; an in vivo RNAi and toxicity bioassay confirmed silencing either of the two OBPs can increase the susceptibility of aphids to chlorpyrifos, suggesting that overexpression of MperOBP3 and MperOBP7 contributes to the development of resistance of M. persicae to chlorpyrifos. Our findings provide novel insights into insect OBPs-mediated resistance mechanisms.

Uridine Diphosphate-Glycosyltransferase RpUGT344D38 Contributes to λ-Cyhalothrin Resistance in Rhopalosiphum padi.

Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase (UGT) is a key phase II enzyme in the insect detoxification system. Pyrethroids are commonly used to control the destructive wheat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi. In this study, we found a highly expressed UGT gene, RpUGT344D38, in both λ-cyhalothrin (LCR)- and bifenthrin (BTR)-resistant strains of R. padi. After exposure to λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin, the expression levels of RpUGT344D38 were significantly increased in the resistant strains. Knockdown of RpUGT344D38 did not affect the resistance of BTR, but it did significantly increase the susceptibility of LCR aphids to λ-cyhalothrin. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that RpUGT344D38 had a stable binding interaction with both bifenthrin and λ-cyhalothrin. The recombinant RpUGT344D38 was able to metabolize 50% of λ-cyhalothrin. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of RpUGT344D38 in the resistance of R. padi to bifenthrin and λ-cyhalothrin, contributing to a better understanding of aphid resistance to pyrethroids.

Molecular and functional characterization of heat-shock protein 70 in Aphis gossypii under thermal and xenobiotic stresses

Aphis gossypii, a globally distributed and economically significant pest of several crops, is known to infest a wide range of host plants. Heat shock proteins (Hsps), acting as molecular chaperones, are essential for the insect's environmental stress responses. The present study investigated the molecular characteristics and expression patterns of AgHsp70, a heat shock protein gene, in Aphis gossypii. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that AgHsp70 shared high similarity with homologs from other insects, suggesting a conserved function across species. The developmental expression profiles of AgHsp70 in A. gossypii showed that the highest transcript levels were observed in the fourth instar nymphs, while the lowest levels were detected in the third instar nymphs. Heat stress and exposure to four different xenobiotics (2-tridecanone, tannic acid, gossypol, and flupyradifurone (4-[(2,2-difluoroethyl)amino]-2(5H)-furanone)) significantly up-regulated AgHsp70 expression. Knockdown of AgHsp70 using RNAi obviously increased the susceptibility of cotton aphids to 2-tridecanone, gossypol and flupyradifurone. Dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that gossypol and flupyradifurone significantly enhanced the promoter activity of AgHsp70 at a concentration of 10 mg/L. Furthermore, we identified the transcription factor heat shock factor (HSF) as a regulator of AgHsp70, as silencing AgHSF reduced AgHsp70 expression. Our results shed light on the role of AgHsp70 in xenobiotic adaptation and thermo-tolerance.

Microbiome Analysis of the Bamboo Aphid Melanaphis bambusae Infected with the Aphid Obligate Pathogen Conidiobolus obscurus (Entomophthoromycotina).

Insect-associated microbes exert diverse effects on host fitness. This study provides insights into the microbiota of the bamboo aphid, Melanaphis bambusae, and their response to Conidiobolus obscurus infection. 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing data were used to analyze the bacterial and fungal samples associated with healthy, infected, and starved aphids. At ≥97% nucleotide similarity, the total reads were clustered into 79 bacteria and 97 fungi operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). The phyla Proteobacteria and Ascomycota dominated the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. The significant divergence in OTU distribution presented differential profiles of the microbiota in response to host conditions. Lower α-diversity indices were found in bacterial and fungal diversity when the aphids were experiencing fungal infection and starvation stresses, respectively. The β-diversity analyses of the communities showed significant differences among the three host conditions, demonstrating that aphid-associated microbiota could significantly shift in response to varying host conditions. Moreover, some OTUs increased under fungal infection, which potentially increased aphid susceptibility. Presumably, C. obscurus infection contributed to this increase by causing the disintegration of host tissues other than host starvation. In conclusion, understanding the differentiation of aphid microbiota caused by fungal entomopathogens helped facilitate the development of novel pest management strategies.

Common facultative endosymbionts do not influence sensitivity of cereal aphids to pyrethroids

Abstract Cereal aphids, including the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, can transmit viruses that significantly reduce crop yields. To mitigate against yield losses, insecticides are routinely used to manage aphid populations. Aphids can form relationships with endosymbionts that confer fitness benefits or consequences to the aphid. Recent artificial inoculation experiments indicate that endosymbionts could increase aphid susceptibility to insecticides, but this has not been explored using aphid populations naturally infected with endosymbionts. Here, we sampled aphids from an important cereal production region in Lower Saxony, Germany. We characterized the endosymbiont profile of these aphid populations and conducted pyrethroid dose–response assays to test the hypothesis that facultative endosymbionts increase aphid susceptibility to insecticides. We find that the level of insecticide susceptibility is highly variable in S. avenae and we identify populations that are sensitive and tolerant to pyrethroids, including populations collected from the same field. For R. padi, we find evidence for decreased sensitivity to pyrethroids, representing the first report of reduced sensitivity to pyrethroids in R. padi sampled from Central Europe. We detected high endosymbiont infection frequencies in the aphid populations. 84% of aphids carry one facultative endosymbiont and 9% of aphids carry two facultative endosymbionts. We detected associations with Regiella insecticola, Fukatsia symbiotica, and Hamiltonella defensa. However, we do not identify a link between endosymbiont infection and insecticide susceptibility, indicating that other factors may govern the development of insecticide resistance and the need for alternative management strategies.

Inoculation of cucumber plants with Beauveria bassiana enhances resistance to Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and increases aphid susceptibility to pirimicarb

The entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) can colonize plants endophytically and stimulate the production of secondary plant metabolites with anti-herbivore activities. We assayed the topical virulence of B. bassiana to Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the effects of cucumber inoculation with this fungus on plant metabolites, and the physiological consequences for aphids that fed on these plants. Assays were conducted with both the commercial formulation of B. bassiana, 'Naturalis®-L', at the recommended concentration of 1.5 ml / L (yielding a spore concentration of 2.3 × 107 CFU per ml), and with a similar concentration of the isolated fungal strain. Topical application of 0.03 ml of solution per cm2, or 1 × 103 CFU, caused 100% mortality to A. gossypii adults after seven days, whether Naturalis®-L or the isolate alone was used. The fungus grew endophytically into foliage when sprayed on cucumbers at the 2-leaf stage and concentrations of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, hydrogen peroxide, and total chlorophyll were higher than in control plants 28 days after inoculation. Malondialdehyde content, plant growth, and total yield were unaffected by B. bassiana inoculation. Aphids fed on B. bassiana-inoculated plants for 24 h had reduced activities of detoxifying enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, carboxylesterase, and acetylcholinesterase) compared to controls. Activities of digestive enzymes, (lipase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and aminopeptidase) were reduced in aphids from inoculated plants, which exhibited higher activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and phenoloxidase, but lower catalase activity. Energy reserves (lipids, protein, and glycogen) were lower in aphids from inoculated plants, and they exhibited reduced fecundity, longevity, and reproductive periods, and a 50% reduction in the LC50 of pirimicarb. Thus, in addition to causing direct pathogenicity, inoculation of plants with B. bassiana negatively impacted A. gossypii physiology and reproductive performance and could usefully complement other strategies for managing cotton aphids on greenhouse cucumber.

Identification of novel aphid-killing bacteria to protect plants.

SummaryAphids, including the peach‐potato aphid, Myzus persicae, are major insect pests of agriculture and horticulture, and aphid control measures are limited. There is therefore an urgent need to develop alternative and more sustainable means of control. Recent studies have shown that environmental microbes have varying abilities to kill insects. We screened a range of environmental bacteria isolates for their abilities to kill target aphid species. Tests demonstrated the killing aptitude of these bacteria against six aphid genera (including Myzus persicae). No single bacterial strain was identified that was consistently toxic to insecticide‐resistant aphid clones than susceptible clones, suggesting resistance to chemicals is not strongly correlated with bacterial challenge. Pseudomonas fluorescens PpR24 proved the most toxic to almost all aphid clones whilst exhibiting the ability to survive for over three weeks on three plant species at populations of 5–6 log CFU cm−2 leaf. Application of PpR24 to plants immediately prior to introducing aphids onto the plants led to a 68%, 57% and 69% reduction in aphid populations, after 21 days, on Capsicum annuum, Arabidopsis thaliana and Beta vulgaris respectively. Together, these findings provide new insights into aphid susceptibility to bacterial infection with the aim of utilizing bacteria as effective biocontrol agents.

Reduced insecticide susceptibility of the wheat aphid Sitobion miscanthi after infection by the secondary bacterial symbiont Hamiltonella defensa.

Bacterial symbionts in insects, especially aphids, have a major influence on host adaptation. We previously showed that infection with the secondary symbiont Hamiltonella defensa increases the fitness of the wheat aphid Sitobion miscanthi, yielding increases in fitness parameters such as adult weight and offspring number. However, whether H. defensa affects the sensitivity of host aphids to insecticides remains unknown. We tested the effects of H. defensa on host aphid susceptibility to the insecticides chlorpyrifos methyl, imidacloprid, cyantraniliprole and acetamiprid. Our results showed that compared with Hamiltonella-free aphid clones, Hamiltonella-infected aphid clones exhibited lower sensitivity to most of the tested insecticides at low concentrations. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the density of H. defensa in the infected clones was slightly decreased at 24 h but then sharply increased until the late stage after treatment with the different insecticides. H. defensa in the host aphids was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and was localized to the aphid hindgut. Levels of the detoxification enzymes acetylcholinesterase, glutathione transferase and carboxylesterase were significantly higher in Hamiltonella-infected clones than in Hamiltonella-free clones. The findings indicated that infection with H. defensa reduced aphid susceptibility to the investigated insecticides at low concentrations, potentially by increasing detoxification enzyme activity in the host. Therefore, symbiont-mediated insecticide resistance should be taken into account when performing resistance-monitoring studies. Studies of symbiont-mediated insecticide resistance may enhance our understanding of the emergence of insecticide resistance in agricultural systems. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Variation in intrinsic resistance of pea aphids to parasitoid wasps: A transcriptomic basis.

Evolutionary interactions between parasitoid wasps and insect hosts have been well studied at the organismal level, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that insects use to resist wasp parasitism. Here we study the interaction between a braconid wasp (Aphidius ervi) and its pea aphid host (Acyrthosiphon pisum). We first identify variation in resistance to wasp parasitism that can be attributed to aphid genotype. We then use transcriptome sequencing to identify genes in the aphid genome that are differentially expressed at an early stage of parasitism, and we compare these patterns in highly resistant and susceptible aphid host lines. We find that resistant genotypes are upregulating genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and several key innate immune system genes in response to parasitism, but that this response seems to be weaker in susceptible aphid genotypes. Together, our results provide a first look into the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie aphid resistance to wasp parasitism and contribute to a broader understanding of how resistance mechanisms evolve in natural populations.

Possible effects of leaf tissue characteristics of oilseed rape Brassica napus on probing and feeding behaviors of cabbage aphids Brevicoryne brassicae

Obstacles in different tissue layers of leaves can influence aphid feeding behavior and host preference. In this study, we examined the feeding behaviors of cabbage aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the five oilseed rape cultivars with varied levels of aphid susceptibility using the electropenetrography (EPG) technique. The leaf anatomical structures of the five oilseed rape cultivars were also analyzed using the microscopical observations. The results showed that the cabbage aphid feeding behaviors varied among the five cultivars. On ‘Dehezayou8’ which had the highest aphid population in the field, the cabbage aphids showed significantly shorter non-probing time to the first phloem contact, shorter duration of the no phloematic phase, and longer average probing duration than those on ‘Zhongyou821’ which showed the least aphid population. In the mesophyll of ‘Dehezayou8,’ the cabbage aphids made significantly fewer brief probes and spent a shorter time in penetrating the mesophyll cells than on ‘Zhongyou821.’ In the phloem, the aphids on ‘Dehezayou8’ secreted less saliva and ingested more sap than those on ‘Zhongyou821.’ On ‘Dehezayou8,’ the aphids took the shortest time to first penetration than they did on the other cultivars. ‘Dehezayou8’ had relatively thin upper epidermis and rare short trichomes, which might have facilitated the aphid infestation. Our results suggested that the leaf tissue characteristics of oilseed rape cultivars, such as epidermis thickness, trichomes, and the factors from mesophyll and phloem could be associated with aphid feeding preference and therefore aphid population in the field.

Lipophorin receptor regulates the cuticular hydrocarbon accumulation and adult fecundity of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.

Cuticular hydrocarbons form a barrier that protects terrestrial insects from water loss via the epicuticle. Lipophorin loads and transports lipids, including hydrocarbons, from one tissue to another. In some insects, the lipophorin receptor (LpR), which binds to lipophorin and accepts its lipid cargo, is essential for female fecundity because it mediates the incorporation of lipophorin by developing oocytes. However, it is unclear whether LpR is involved in the accumulation of cuticular hydrocarbons and its precise role in aphid reproduction remains unknown. We herein present the results of our molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis, and functional annotation of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) LpR gene (ApLpR). This gene was transcribed throughout the A. pisum life cycle, but especially during the embryonic stage and in the abdominal cuticle. Furthermore, we optimized the RHA interference (RNAi) parameters by determining the ideal dose and duration for gene silencing in the pea aphid. We observed that the RNAi-based ApLpR suppression significantly decreased the internal and cuticular hydrocarbon contents as well as adult fecundity. Additionally, a deficiency in cuticular hydrocarbons increased the susceptibility of aphids to desiccation stress, with decreased survival rates under simulated drought conditions. Moreover, ApLpR expression levels significantly increased in response to the desiccation treatment. These results confirm that ApLpR is involved in transporting hydrocarbons and protecting aphids from desiccation stress. Furthermore, this gene is vital for aphid reproduction. Therefore, the ApLpR gene of A. pisum may be a novel RNAi target relevant for insect pest management.

Candidate genetic determinants of intraspecific variation in pea aphid susceptibility to RNA interference

RNA interference (RNAi) plays a key role in insect defense against viruses and transposable elements, and it is being applied as an experimental tool and for insect pest control. However, RNAi efficiency is highly variable for some insects, notably the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. In this study, we used natural variation in RNAi susceptibility of pea aphids to identify genes that influence RNAi efficiency. Susceptibility to orally-delivered dsRNA against the gut aquaporin gene AQP1 (ds-AQP1) varied widely across a panel of 83 pea aphid genotypes, from zero to total mortality. Genome-wide association between aphid performance on ds-AQP1 supplemented diet and aphid genetic variants yielded 103 significantly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including variants in 55 genes, at the 10−4 probability cut-off. When ds-AQP1 was co-administered with dsRNA against six candidate genes, aphid mortality was reduced for three (50%) genes: the orthologs of the Drosophila genes trachealess (CG42865), headcase (CG15532) and a gene coding a peritrophin-A domain (CG8192), indicating that these genes function to promote RNAi efficiency against AQP1 in the pea aphid. Aphid susceptibility (quantified as mortality) to ds-AQP1 was correlated with RNAi against a further gene, snakeskin with essential gut function unrelated to AQP1, for some but not all aphid genotypes tested, suggesting that the determinants of RNAi efficiency may be partly gene-specific. This study demonstrates high levels of natural variation in susceptibility to RNAi and demonstrates the value of harnessing this variation to identify genes influencing RNAi efficiency.

Virus mediated trophic interactions between aphids and their natural enemies

Microbial endosymbionts alter the phenotype of their host which may have cascading effects at both population and community levels. However, we currently lack information on whether the effects of viruses on both host phenotypic traits and host population demography can modify interactions with upper trophic levels. To fill this gap, we investigated whether a prevalent densovirus infecting the aphid Myzus persicae (i.e. MpDNV) can modify trophic interactions between host aphids and their natural enemies (i.e. predators and parasitoids) by influencing aphid phenotypic traits (i.e. body mass and defensive behaviours), population demography (i.e. density and age‐structure) and susceptibility towards both predation and parasitism. We found that the virus decreased aphid body mass but did not influence their behavioural defences. At the population level, the virus had a minor effect on aphid adult mortality whereas it strongly reduced the density of nymphs and influenced the stage structure of aphid populations. In addition, the virus enhanced the susceptibility of aphids to parasitism regardless of the parasitoid species. Predation rate on adult aphids was not influenced by the virus but ladybeetle predators strongly decreased the number of aphid nymphs, especially for uninfected ones compared to infected ones. As a result, the virus decreased predator effect on aphid populations. By reducing both aphid quality and availability, increasing their susceptibility to parasitism, and modulating predator effect on aphid populations, we highlighted that viral endosymbionts can be prevalent drivers of their host ecology as they modify their phenotypes and interspecific interactions. These virus‐mediated ecological effects may have consequences on enemies foraging strategies as well as trophic webs dynamics and structure.

Multiple detoxification genes confer imidacloprid resistance to Sitobion avenae Fabricius

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius, is one of the major wheat pests distributed worldwide. Insecticide application is typically effective for controlling S. avenae, However, S. avenae has developed resistance to multiple insecticides. Thus, it is crucial to elucidate resistance mechanisms in S. avenae. In this study, the mechanisms of resistance to imidacloprid in S. avenae and the risk of cross resistance to other insecticides were investigated. An imidacloprid resistant strain (SA-R) of S. avenae was established via continuous imidacloprid selection with 42.7-fold resistance compared with the susceptible population (SA-S). There was cross resistance in SA-R between imidacloprid and other insecticides tested (acetamiprid, abamectin, chlorpyrifos, and omethoate), with ratios ranging from 10.7- to 24.7-fold higher than SA-S. S, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (TPP), piperonyl butoxide (PBO), and diethyl maleate (DEM) had synergism with imidacloprid in the SA-R strain with 2.85-, 3.59-, and 2.14-fold reductions, respectively, in LC50 values. Additionally, the activities of cytochrome P450 (P450), glutathione-S-transferases (GST), and carboxylesterase (COE) were significantly higher by 2.69-, 1.42-, and 1.39-fold in the SA-R strain than in the SA-S strain. Based on the S. avenae transcriptome database, 11 P450, two COE, four GST, and two esterase (EST) genes that were significantly induced by imidacloprid were selected to compare gene expression levels between SA-R and SA-S. Fourteen detoxification genes of the 19 tested from the SA-R strain were overexpressed compared to those of the SA-S strain. Silencing of CYP6A14-1, CYP307A1, GST1-1-1, and COE2 by dsRNA feeding resulted in increased susceptibility of SA-R aphids to imidacloprid. These results provide evidence that detoxification genes including CYP6A14-1, CYP307A1, GST1-1-1, and COE2 contribute to resistance to imidacloprid in S. avenae, which was confirmed by RNA interference (RNAi) feeding.

Resistance in advanced cowpea lines to Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The Brazilian cowpea crop has been increasing in recent years due to the launch of new cultivars. However these are, in some cases, susceptible to cowpea aphid. In view of this, studies of the biology of, one of the main insect pests on advanced cowpea lines, is essential, since they form the next new cultivars to be the released. Accordingly, the objective of the evaluate the main advanced cowpea lines that confer resistance over the biological aspects of Aphis craccivora Koch. Eight advanced cowpea lines were studied, plus cultivar VITA 7 to provide a standard for aphid susceptibility. Number of living individuals, the longevity of insects and number of descendants produced were recorded daily. Highest nymph mortality rates, longest inter-generation intervals and the lowest reproductive duration, occurred when the aphids had lines MNCO4-762F-03 and MNCO4-762F-09 as host plants. Daily fecundity values (3.0 to 8.0 nymphs per day) varied according to lineage. Lowest total fecundity values were recorded when aphids fed on MNCO4-762F-03, MNCO4-762F-09 and MNCO4-792F-123
 lines. MNCO4-762F-03 and MNCO4-762F-09 lines negatively impacted A. craccivora biology, and were the least suitable as hosts.

Interactions of host-plant resistance and foliar insecticides for soybean aphid management

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphidae), a major pest of soybean in the Midwest U.S., is primarily controlled with insecticides, but aphid-resistant plants are becoming available for growers. However, aphid populations can still occasionally build to economically damaging levels on resistant plants, which require treatment with insecticides to protect yields. To determine if resistant plants alter soybean aphid susceptibility to foliar insecticides, aphid populations were monitored over two years from 2014 to 2015 in field experiments with near isogenic soybean lines that were either susceptible or resistant to aphids. Field plots of each soybean line were either untreated or treated with an organophosphate (i.e., chlorpyrifos), a pyrethroid (i.e., λ-cyhalothrin), or a mixture of pyrethrum and azadirachtin. Greenhouse bioassays were also conducted with near isogenic lines and two of the insecticides to examine potential interactions under more controlled conditions. In field plots, organophosphate and pyrethroid treatments significantly reduced cumulative aphid days on at least one soybean line each year; additive effects between resistant plants and insecticides were most common. However, significant synergistic interactions between resistant plants and insecticide were found for λ-cyhalothrin in 2015. On chlorpyrifos-treated plants, a synergistic interaction occurred in 2014 and an antagonistic interaction occurred in 2015, but aphid populations did not exceed those of untreated resistant plants. Interactions between aphid-resistant plants and foliar insecticides were variable, but these tactics generally appear compatible for integrated pest management programs. Growers could benefit from additive and synergistic interactions, and the only documented instance of antagonism had a relatively small effect.

Arabidopsis Transcription Factor MYB102 Increases Plant Susceptibility to Aphids by Substantial Activation of Ethylene Biosynthesis.

Induction of ethylene biosynthesis by aphids increases the susceptibility of several plant species to aphids. Recent studies have indicated that some MYB transcription factors regulate the phloem-based defense against aphid infestation by modulating ethylene (ET) signaling. Arabidopsis MYB102 has previously been shown to be induced by wound signaling and regulate defense response against chewing insects. However, it remains unclear whether Arabidopsis MYB102 takes part in the defense response of plants to aphids. Here, we investigated the function of MYB102 in the response of Arabidopsis to aphid infestation. Arabidopsis MYB102 was primarily expressed in vascular tissues, and its transcription was remarkably induced by green peach aphids (GPA; Myzus persicae). The results of RNA-Sequencing revealed that overexpression of MYB102 in Arabidopsis promoted ET biosynthesis by upregulation of some 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) genes, which are rate-limiting enzymes of the ET-synthetic pathway. Enhanced ET levels led to reduced Arabidopsis resistance to GPA. Furthermore, dominant suppression of MYB102 inhibited aphid-induced increase of ET levels in Arabidopsis. In agreement with a negative regulatory role for ET in aphid defense responses, the MYB102-overexpressing lines were more susceptible to GPA than wild-type (WT) plants. Overexpression of MYB102 in Arabidopsis obviously repressed aphid-induced callose deposition. Conversely, overexpression of MYB102 failed to increase aphid susceptibility in both the ET-insensitive mutants and plants treated with inhibitors of ET signaling pathways, demonstrating that the ET was critical for promoting aphid performance conferred by overexpression of MYB102. Collectively, our findings indicate that the Arabidopsis MYB102 increases host susceptibility to GPA through the ET-dependent signaling pathways.

Determination of Feeding Performance of Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis Erysimi (Kalt) on different Mustard Varieties at Water Stress Condition

The more feeding of plant sap by aphid, the more secretion of honeydew. Determination of the amount of honeydew secreted by aphids in a specific crop variety is one of the best ways to assess the susceptibility of aphid infestation to the variety. An experiment was conducted in glass house and controlled growth room of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) at 25°C, RH 65–70% and 12:12 hrs daylight on 15 November 2016. Six mustard varieties were evaluated to determine the intensity of honeydew excretion by aphids for assessing susceptibility of aphids in mustard varieties under different water stress condition likely 100% field capacity (control), 50% field capacity (moderate drought) and 30% field capacity (severe drought). Aphid feeding and honeydew secretion were remarkably negatively affected by water stress. Weight of honeydew secreted by a mustard aphid during 24hrs was reduced by 13% and 25% when subjected to moderate and extreme drought respectively compared to that at non-stressed control. The weight of honeydew secreted by a mustard aphid in 24hrs in the varieties of Brassica campestris, B. napus and B. juncea was measured ranging 7.65 to 8.85mg; 4.81 to 5.15mg and 8.87 to 9.17mg, respectively. It may be concluded that feeding performance of aphid and honeydew secretion were more in susceptible varieties and negatively affected by water stress. The varieties of B. napus are more resistant to aphid infestation.

Monitoring of development resistance of aphids (Schizaphis graminum Rond.) to drugs of different chemical groups

The susceptibility of aphids to pyrethroid insecticides has been studied. The resistance index does not exceed 10. It is shown that when selecting the population by Decis Profi and Carte, the development of resistance in insects is accelerated in comparison with BI-58 New and Zolon.

Evidence for Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Resistance to Pyrethroid Insecticides in the Upper Midwestern United States.

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a damaging invasive pest of soybean in the upper Midwest. Threshold-based insecticide applications are the primary control method for soybean aphid, but few insecticide groups are available (i.e., pyrethroids, organophosphates, and neonicotinoids). To quantify current levels of soybean aphid susceptibility to pyrethroids in the upper Midwest and monitor for insecticide resistance, leaf-dip bioassays were performed with λ-cyhalothrin in 2013-2015, and glass-vial bioassays were performed with λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin in 2015 and 2016. Soybean aphids were collected from 27 population-years in Minnesota and northern Iowa, and were compared with a susceptible laboratory colony with no known insecticide exposure since discovery of soybean aphid in North America in 2000. Field-collected aphids from some locations in leaf-dip and glass-vial bioassays had significantly lower rates of insecticide-induced mortality compared with the laboratory population, although field population susceptibility varied by year. In response to sublethal concentrations of λ-cyhalothrin, adult aphids from some locations required higher concentrations of insecticide to reduce nymph production compared with the laboratory population. The most resistant field population demonstrated 39-fold decreased mortality compared with the laboratory population. The resistance documented in this study, although relatively low for most field populations, indicates that there has been repeated selection pressure for pyrethroid resistance in some soybean aphid populations. Integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management should be practiced to slow further development of soybean aphid resistance to pyrethroids.