Effects of systemic potato response to wounding and jasmonate on the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Sternorryncha: Aphididae)

Abstract

Plant induced responses are activated by multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, and may affect the interactions between a plant and phytophagous insects. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different stresses inflicted to potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) on the potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae). Abiotic wounding, biotic wounding by Leptinotarsa decemlineata and treatment with volatile methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were evaluated with regard to the orientation behaviour, the feeding behaviour and the development of the potato aphids. Dual‐choice olfactometry showed that plants treated with MeJA lost their attractiveness for the potato aphids, while both abiotic and biotic wounding did not alter the orientation of aphids. Electropenetrography revealed that the feeding behaviour of aphids was only slightly disturbed by a previous L. decemlineata wounding, while it was highly disturbed by mechanical wounding and MeJA treatment. Aphid nymph survival was reduced on mechanically wounded plants, the pre‐reproductive period was lengthened and the fecundity reduced on plants treated with MeJA. Our results bring new information about the effects of various stresses inflicted to S. tuberosum on M. euphorbiae. We showed that wounding and MeJA treatment induced an antixenosis resistance in potato plants against M. euphorbiae, which may influence aphid colonization processes.

Rapidly Induced Chemical Defenses in Maize Stems and Their Effects on Short-term Growth of Ostrinia nubilalis

“…In addition to known phytochemicals, the tissue would have an array of other inducible defenses present, which could potentially function synergistically in defense against ECB herbivory. Inducible plant defenses often effectively increase resistance against insect feeding by reducing insect growth and decreasing fecundity (Agrawal 1999;Bruinsma et al 2007;Abe et al 2008Abe et al , 2009Stout et al 2009;Brunissen et al 2010). In contrast, plants that are deficient in JA signaling and have a compromised defense response are far more susceptible to insect feeding (Halitschke and Baldwin 2003;Abe et al 2008Abe et al , 2009Scott et al 2010).…”

Sensing the Danger Signals: cis-Jasmone Reduces Aphid Performance on Potato and Modulates the Magnitude of Released Volatiles

“…Similarly, the numbers of grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius) were reduced in plots of winter wheat treated with CJ (Birkett et al, 2000;Bruce et al, 2003). Using our study model, Brunissen et al (2010) reported that potato treatment with MeJA, which is JA volatile derivative, reduced the fecundity of M. euphoribae and further prolonged its pre-reproductive period. Likewise, induced tomato plants drastically reduced the reproductive rate of M. euphorbiae (Guerrieri et al, 2004).…”

Chemical Ecology of the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and Potential for Alternative Control Methods

“…Despite apparently lesser injuries inflicted by the aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae), a greater number of volatiles were released, perhaps due to pathogen infection. Aphids were also unaffected by preliminary CPB wounding, suggesting that the presence of CPB does not influence the colonization behavior of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Homoptera: Aphididae) [ 97 ].…”