Aphids show interspecific and intraspecific variation in life history responses to host plant infection by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea

Abstract

The life histories of insect herbivores are affected by variation in host plant quality, with poor quality typically being associated with reduced herbivore fecundity, size and longevity. Plant pathogens are ubiquitous in nature and can alter host plant quality as experienced by insect herbivores. We asked how host plant infection by the widespread and economically important fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea affected the life history traits of two aphid species. We found that the life history traits of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae were negatively affected by being reared on infected host plants, showing reduced fecundity, population growth rate, size, off-plant survival time and development rate. In contrast, we found that pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum benefitted from being reared on infected plants, and that the degree of benefit varied between pea aphid clonal lines. This work suggests that the ecological and economic consequences of plant pathogen infection on the dynamics of aphid pests could be difficult to predict.

Volatile interactions between specific undamaged barley cultivars affect aphid feeding behavior and performance

“…The development time, fecundity, individual size, life span and reproduction of aphids can be related to the quality of the host plant (Berminghnam and Wikinson 2009;Srisakrapikoop et al 2021). Our data show that there is a significant reduction in aphid relative growth rate and intrinsic rate in SeF, compared to Se0 and SeA (Figs.…”

Effect of different alfalfa cultivars on growth and development of the spotted alfalfa aphid, Therioaphis trifolii (Monell)

“…It could be that the population received no initial resistance from the host plants, and then the survival rate dropped as the plants began using defense mechanisms. Srisakrapikoop et al (2021) found that the development time, fecundity, individual size, and lifespan of aphids are all related to the quality of the host plant. Research by Li et al (2021) on the fruit tortrix moth Adoxophyes orana also showed the same result.…”

“…Srisakrapikoop et al . (2021) found that the development time, fecundity, individual size, and lifespan of aphids are all related to the quality of the host plant. Research by Li et al .…”

Differing effects of parental and natal hosts on the preference and performance of the stored product pests Callosobruchus maculatus and C. analis

“…Overall, our results indicate that differences in larval seed host can greatly influence the fitness and life histories of bean beetles, but responses differ between species, making it difficult to draw generalities (Srisakrapikoop et al, 2021). Bean beetles preferred high quality over poor quality hosts, and this has profound effects both directly (natal host) and indirectly (parental host) on their behavior and fitness.…”