Effects of Host Plants Reared under Elevated CO2 Concentrations on the Foraging Behavior of Different Stages of Corn Leaf Aphids Rhopalosiphum maidis

Abstract

Climate change is a major environmental concern and is directly related to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. The increase in concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), not only affects plant growth and development, but also affects the emission of plant organic volatile compounds (VOCs). Changes in the plant odor profile may affect the plant-insect interactions, especially the behavior of herbivorous insects. In this study, we compared the foraging behavior of corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings grown under contrasted CO2 concentrations. During the dual choice bioassays, the winged and wingless aphids were more attracted by the VOCs of barley seedlings cultivated under ambient CO2 concentrations (aCO2; 450 ppm) than barley seedlings cultivated under elevated CO2 concentrations (eCO2; 800 ppm), nymphs were not attracted by the VOCs of eCO2 barley seedlings. Then, volatile compositions from 14-d-old aCO2 and eCO2 barley seedlings were investigated by GC-MS. While 16 VOCs were identified from aCO2 barley seedlings, only 9 VOCs were found from eCO2 barley seedlings. At last, we discussed the potential role of these chemicals observed during choice bioassays. Our findings lay foundation for functional response of corn leaf aphid under climate change through host plant modifications.

Differential thermal tolerance across life stages under extreme high temperatures crossed with feeding status in corn leaf aphid

“…During the feeding experiment, we observed that most of the alate adults remained stationary in the transparent plastic box, rather than moving to the barley seedlings as quickly as the apterous phenotypes. As we know, walking is the main way of apterous aphids moving to nearby plants in the field (Nottingham et al ., 1991), and alate morphs are capable of making targeted landings on plants under a certain speed of prevailing wind (Goldansaz & McNeil, 2006), which indicates that wind probably is an important precondition for the movement of alate aphid (Chen et al, 2019a). In this way, apterous aphids significantly increased their thermal tolerance in feeding treatment compared to alate adults.…”

Aphid–Plant–Phytovirus Pathosystems: Influencing Factors from Vector Behaviour to Virus Spread

“…However, intermorph variation is demonstrated in relation to the olfactory cue. Indeed, the olfactory cue is perceived by sensory structures called rhinaria located on the tips of aphid antennae [16]. Wingless aphids are equipped with primary rhinaria, i.e., detecting only host plant odours, whereas the winged individuals have secondary rhinaria, which are more evolved, perceiving host and non-host volatile chemicals [16].…”

“…Indeed, the olfactory cue is perceived by sensory structures called rhinaria located on the tips of aphid antennae [16]. Wingless aphids are equipped with primary rhinaria, i.e., detecting only host plant odours, whereas the winged individuals have secondary rhinaria, which are more evolved, perceiving host and non-host volatile chemicals [16]. This would be due to the fact that winged aphids fly over a broader range of plant species that they need to be able to distinguish from their host plant on which they should land [17].…”

Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Vegetable Crops

“…Although few innovations happened in reducing the damage caused by insects through biotechnology and Integrated Pest Management procedures [60]. In case of biotechnology there is considerable reduction in the pest activity and damage by killing the pests by genetic engineering and also releasing Bt crops , Eg.…”